故障|こしょうkoshou[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N4approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbfault; trouble; breakdown; failure; being out of order
    車くるまが故障こしょうしたので遅おくれました。↗
    I was late because my car broke down.
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verbdamage (to a part of the body); injury; hurt
  3. nounproblem; hitch; obstacle; hindrance
  4. nounobjection; protest
Conjugation
Dictionary form故障する(こしょうする)
Polite (masu)故障します(こしょうします)
Negative (nai)故障しない(こしょうしない)
polite (masen)故障しません(こしょうしません)
classical zu / nu故障せず・故障せぬ(こしょうせず・こしょうせぬ)
Past (ta)故障した(こしょうした)
polite (mashita)故障しました(こしょうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)故障しなかった(こしょうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)故障しませんでした(こしょうしませんでした)
Te form故障して(こしょうして)
Potential故障できる(こしょうできる)
Passive故障される(こしょうされる)
Causative故障させる(こしょうさせる)
Causative passive故障させられる(こしょうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)故障すれば(こしょうすれば)
tara故障したら(こしょうしたら)
Volitional故障しよう(こしょうしよう)
polite (mashou)故障しましょう(こしょうしましょう)
Imperative故障しろ(こしょうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym障害しょうがいWrittenWritten word for something blocking progress or a function failing, as in 「通信障害」「障害物」; also covers disability, so broader than 「故障」.
  • Synonym支障ししょうWrittenFormal written word for progress being hindered, as in 「業務に支障が出る」; focuses on the impact on business or affairs, not on machines breaking.
  • Synonym不都合ふつごうWrittenMeans inconvenience or impropriety, as in 「何か不都合がありますか」; it can label a problem that crops up, machines included, but does not itself mean a breakdown.
  • SynonymトラブルCasualColloquial loanword for trouble, disputes, or malfunctions, as in 「エンジントラブル」.
  • SynonymブレイクダウンWrittenLoanword for breaking something down into parts; nowadays rarely used of machine failure, unlike 「故障」.
  • Related壊れるこわれるCasualColloquial verb for something breaking or stopping working, as in 「テレビが壊れる」; 「故障」 is the noun, focused on malfunction.
  • Antonym正常せいじょうNeutralThe opposite of 「故障」: running or working normally, as in 「正常に作動する」.
  • Antonym順調じゅんちょうNeutralThe opposite of 「故障」 for progress: going smoothly without a hitch, as in 「順調に進む」.

「故障」 is the default for machine failure. 「障害」 covers obstructions, functional disorders, and disability; 「支障」 is written for hindered progress; 「トラブル」 covers trouble and disputes; use 「壊れる」 for breaking. Opposites: 「正常」 working normally, 「順調」 going smoothly.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 機械きかいに不調ふちょうが生しょうじ、正常せいじょうな働はたらきを失うしなうこと。
  2. 心身しんしんに不調ふちょうが生しょうじること。特とくに負傷ふしょうによるもの。
  3. 物事ものごとの進行しんこうを妨さまたげるもの。さしさわり。
  4. 異議いぎ。不平ふへい。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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