How to say "outcome" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 結果けっかnounThe neutral, all-purpose word for the outcome of an action, event, or process, good or bad. When you simply mean 'the result,' this is the word you want.結果は気にするな。↗Don't worry about the results.
- nounUsually written in kana; really means 'blame' or 'fault,' so its 'outcome' sense is a bad result someone or something is held responsible for. Seldom the word you want for a neutral outcome.
- 成果せいかnounAn outcome viewed as an achievement: the good results of work or effort. Use it when the outcome is something positive to show for one's labors, not for failures or neutral results.
- 勝敗しょうはいnounNarrow sense: the outcome of a game, match, or battle — which side wins and which loses. Not a general word for results; if no one wins or loses, another word is needed.
- 成否せいひnounThe outcome of an attempt viewed as success or failure: whether it worked or not. Choose it when the question is simply whether something succeeded, not what the result was like.
Use 結果 as the all-purpose word for any result or outcome; 成果 for the positive fruits of effort, 勝敗 for win-or-lose in a game or battle, 成否 for success-or-failure, and 「せい」 only for blame.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 結果けっかresult
- せいconsequence
- 成果せいか(good) result
- 勝敗しょうはいvictory or defeat
- 成否せいひsuccess or failure
- 成り行きなりゆきcourse (of events)
- 帰趨きすうoutcome (of a course of events)
- アウトカムoutcome
- 転帰てんきoutcome (esp. of illness)
- 仕儀しぎsituation
- おちupshot
- 行方ゆくえoutcome
- 出来上がりできあがりworkmanship
- 始末しまつend result (usu. bad)
- 果てはてresult
- 首尾しゅびresult
- 数すうdestiny
- 着地ちゃくちoutcome
See also
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