How to say "phenomenon" in Japanese

• 現象げんしょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe most direct equivalent: phenomenon as an observable fact or occurrence — something that appears, happens or can be observed, as in natural or social phenomena. The word to reach for first.
  この現象げんしょうに関かんしてはまだ物理的ぶつりてきな説明せつめいがなされていない。↗

  There is not a physical explanation for this phenomenon yet.
• 事象じしょうCommon
  nounPhenomenon in the sense of an event or matter of fact — something that happens or is the case. Its 'event' and 'matter' senses are the reliable guide; for observable occurrences, 現象 is the word.
  事象じしょうとして簡単かんたんなことを、いかにも難むずかしそうに表現ひょうげんする人ひとは、あまり頭あたまがよさそうではない。↗

  A person who makes an easy matter sound difficult does not seem to be so smart.
• 象しょうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounRead しょう, 象 means form, shape, figure or appearance, not an observed phenomenon, and is seldom the translation you want. On its own the character is the word for elephant, read ぞう.

Use 現象 for a phenomenon as an observable fact or occurrence; 事象 fits when the phenomenon is treated as an event or matter of fact; 象 alone means form, shape or appearance and is seldom the word you want.

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

• 現象げんしょうphenomenon
• 事象じしょうevent
• 象しょうform
• フェノメノンphenomenon
• 事相じそうaspect
• 仮相かそうappearance