Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Incident" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "incident", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
事件
じけん (jiken)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
出来事
できごと (dekigoto)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "incident" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 事件 and 出来事.
In Japanese, 事件 (じけん (jiken)) is typically associated with "incident, case, event (often criminal or noteworthy)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Usually implies something problematic, a crime, or a noteworthy occurrence that requires investigation..
On the other hand, 出来事 (できごと (dekigoto)) maps to "incident, event, happening" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 一般的に、予期せぬことや日常的な出来事など、何か起こったこと全般を指します。客観的なニュアンスが強いです。. A literal translation of "incident" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "事件"
警察はその事件を調査しています。
The police are investigating that incident.
Bilingual Context for "出来事"
昨日、面白い出来事がありました。
Yesterday, an interesting incident happened.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "警察はその ＿＿＿ を調査しています。" (Meaning: "The police are investigating that incident.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "事件" fits here because it means "incident, case, event (often criminal or noteworthy)" in the context of: "The police are investigating that incident.". "出来事" represents "incident, event, happening".