This is the 10103rd most frequent Japanese word.
遭う
"遭う" means "to encounter" or "to meet with (typically something undesirable)."
In this sentence, "遭う" illustrates having experienced unexpected or peculiar situations, based on the narrative involved.
その話を聞くと、いつも奇妙な状況に遭うのを思い出します。
When I hear that story, I always remember encountering strange situations.
In this sentence, "遭う" is used to describe experiencing an undesirable event, specifically an accident.
彼は事故に遭った。
He encountered an accident.
Here, "遭う" is used to convey facing or encountering challenges or hardships in context of life experiences.