How to say "event" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe everyday word for an organized happening — a party, concert, festival, or similar planned occasion. This is usually the word you want for 'event' in ordinary conversation.
- 事件じけんnounReally means 'incident' or 'affair': something that happened, typically unexpected and often criminal or otherwise troubling. It matches 'event' only in this sense of an occurrence, and is a poor choice for planned happenings.
- 行事ぎょうじnounAn event as a scheduled occasion on a calendar or program — a function in the ceremonial sense, the kind of occasion schools and organizations plan in advance. It suggests something planned and official.
- 事象じしょうnounCovers 'event' as an abstract or technical term: an occurrence viewed as a phenomenon, found in academic, scientific, and technical contexts. Not the word for parties or gatherings.
- 種目しゅもくnounCovers 'event' in the sporting sense: a category of competition, as when asking which events an athlete has entered. It means 'item' more generally, so it is not used for social happenings.
Choose 「イベント」 for organized happenings such as parties or shows, 行事 for scheduled ceremonial occasions, 種目 for competitive events in sports, 事象 for abstract or technical occurrences, and 事件 for incidents — unexpected, often troubling happenings rather than planned events.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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