everyone

[xNekoluvx]

I know there are topics on this already, but I am still confused on what to say in my situation.

I am writing a response to an e-mail that one of my Japanese teachers sent to me. I told him I was coming to Japan, and one of the things he said was "みんなうれしいです。" Meaning everyone will be glad that I am coming to Japan. Now I want to say, "日本に行って、みんなに会えることをとても楽しみにあ ｵています。" But I am unsure whether to say みんな or 皆さん since I am talking to a teacher. I heard 皆さん was used for girl's names..but I could be wrong. What's appropriate?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Mike Cash]

皆さん

When not sure, always use the more polite choice.

 

[Toritoribe]

I heard 皆さん was used for girl's names.

Probably you are confusing 皆さん with "a female name みな（美奈, 美菜, 水奈, etc.) + さん".

 

[xNekoluvx]

Thank you for your reply. I actually forgot to put the whole sentence he said to me. For some reason it didn't copy and paste right (^^
here is the message:
日本にきて会ってくれると、みんなうれしいです。どうか ここにきてください。みんな待っています。

Then I replied:
日本に行って、皆さんに会えることをとても楽しみにしています。

Am I correct?

 

[Mike Cash]

会うこと would probably be better.

 

[xNekoluvx]

Would you mind telling me the difference between 会うこと and 会えること？
Why is 会うこと better?

 

[Mike Cash]

Because you're looking forward to meeting them....not looking forward to being able to meet them. The distinction is subtle and probably insignificant. It certainly isn't enough that you should have any misgivings or anxiety over having used 会える instead of 会う. Most people (probably including the recipient) aren't pedantic enough to even notice.

Technically speaking, since you are already going to Japan you are already in the condition of being able to meet them (you just haven't actually met them yet) and thus it isn't something you can look forward to.

 

[Glenn]

I guess the difference is basically this, then, when broken down:

会える -- you can't yet meet them and are looking forward to being in a state of being able to meet them.
会う -- you haven't yet met them and are looking forward to being in a state of having met them.

The focus with 会う is more on being in the same place with them at the same time, whereas with 会える it's more on that being a possibility. Does that make sense?

Alright, so I guess that's just a different way of stating what Mike said.