合わせる

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 合わせる is read as あわせる and is a transitive verb meaning to align things or combine efforts.
• Basic usage: Synchronizing watches appears in 時計を合わせる, while joining forces appears in 力を合わせる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Adjustment and cooperation
  • Context distinguishes alignment to one standard from combining people’s efforts.
• Difference from 合う
  • 合わせる is transitive, whereas the comparison verb is intransitive for things matching.