How to say "occurrence" in Japanese

• 発生はっせいJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the occurrence or incidence of something coming into being, such as an accident, fire, disease outbreak, or earthquake; the birth of civilization also falls here. It names the event happening, not the event itself.
• 出来事できごとJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounAn event or happening that someone experiences or recounts, from minor incidents to significant ones. Choose this when referring to a specific thing that took place, as in a memorable or unfortunate occurrence.
  このようのしてその出来事できごとは起おこった。↗

  This is how the incident happened.
• 出来しゅったいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbMeans occurrence or taking place, but as a standalone word it is seldom what you want for 'occurrence'; learners are better served by 出来事 or 発生 in most contexts.
• 突発とっぱつCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbRefers to an occurrence that breaks out suddenly and unexpectedly, such as an emergency or eruption of trouble; it carries the nuance of suddenness rather than events in general.
  その突発とっぱつについて不必要ふひつように心配しんぱいする必要ひつようはない。↗

  There is no need to be unnecessarily anxious about the outbreak.
• ことJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA general word for an incident, event, or occurrence, usually written in kana alone. It often appears in abstract or grammatical uses referring to something that happened, including something serious.

Use 発生 for something coming into being such as accidents or disasters, 出来事 for an event you recount, 突発 for sudden outbreaks, and 「こと」 for abstract reference; 出来 is rarely the word you want.

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

• 発生はっせいoccurrence
• 出来事できごとoccurrence
• 出来しゅったいoccurrence
• 突発とっぱつoutbreak
• 生起せいきoccurrence
• ことincident
• 暁あかつきevent (e.g. "in the event of ...")