encounter

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is そう, and the kun reading is あう. It has 14 strokes and relates to experiencing misfortune such as a storm or theft, or becoming stranded.
• Basic usage: 遭う is read あう, and 遭難 is read そうなん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 遭う / 遭難
  • 遭う means experience or suffer and is read あう. It describes experiencing an unwanted event such as a storm or theft.
  • 駅前で盗難に遭い、警察に届けた。 means “I had something stolen near the station and reported it to the police.”
  • 遭難 means distress or being stranded and is read そうなん. It refers to becoming stranded or in distress in a dangerous place.
  • 冒険小説では一行が雪山で遭難する。 means “In the adventure novel, the party becomes stranded in snowy mountains.”