How to say "case" in Japanese

• 場合ばあいJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounCovers 'case' in the sense of a situation or set of circumstances — the 'case' of 'in this case' or 'in that case', where what happens depends on the conditions.
  この規則きそくはどんな場合ばあいにでも当あてはまる。↗

  This rule applies to any case.
• ケースJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe loanword for 'case' as a physical container: a box-like holder that stores, carries or protects something. This is the word for the container sense, not for situations or matters.
  あなたの名前なまえがテープでケースに貼はってあります。↗

  Your name is taped on the case.
• 箱はこJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounEssentially the word for 'box'; its 'case' sense is only a box-like container. If you mean a container-type 'case', ケース is the word for that, so 箱 is seldom what you want here.
  その取っ手とってを右みぎにねじると箱はこは開ひらきます。↗

  Twist that knob to the right and the box will open.
• 件けんCommon
  noun, counter'Case' as a matter or affair — an occurrence or item of business that is dealt with, discussed or reported, rather than a hypothetical situation or a container.
  私はこの件けんに関かんしては、あなたに賛成さんせいです。↗

  I agree with you on this issue.
• 事例じれいCommon
  no-adjective'Case' as a concrete instance cited as an example or precedent — the 'case' of a case study or a case in point, an actual instance used to illustrate or support a point.
  これこそ適切てきせつな事例じれいだと思おもう。↗

  I believe this is a case in point.

Use 場合 for 'case' meaning a situation or circumstance, 「ケース」 for a physical container, 件 for a matter or incident, 事例 for a case cited as an example or precedent, and 箱 only when you really mean a box.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 場合ばあいcase
• ケースcase (container)
• 箱はこbox
• 件けんmatter
• 事例じれいexample
• 症例しょうれいcase
• 筐体きょうたいcase (of a machine, computer, etc.)
• 入れ物いれものcontainer
• 例れいexample
• 事件じけんevent
• 場面ばめんscene
• 案件あんけんmatter (to discuss)
• ばやいcase
• 入れいれcontainer
• サックsheath
• 事案じあんconcern
• カステンcabinet, usu. containing medical instruments, medicines, etc.
• ＣＡＳＥケースcomputer-aided software engineering
• いがburr (e.g. chestnut)
• 際さいoccasion
• 一件いっけん(one) matter
• 訴訟事件そしょうじけんlawsuit
• 時ときoccasion
• 儀ぎmatter
• さやcap (on a brush, pen, etc.)
• 問題もんだいproblem (e.g. societal, political)
• 側がわ(watch) case
• 訳わけcircumstances
• 幕まくcase
• 格かくcase
• 日ひcase (esp. unfortunate)
• やま(criminal) case