用事|ようじyouji[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounbusiness; things to do; engagement; errand; affairs
   私は街まちに用事ようじがある。↗

   I have an errand to do in town.

• Synonym所用しょようWrittenWritten/formal prose for having business or things to do, as in 「所用で外出中」; often used to politely explain why one is out or away.
• Synonym用件ようけんNeutralNeutral; refers to the specific content of what needs doing, as in 「ご用件は何ですか」. Focuses on the details of the matter rather than just having something to do.
• Synonym用ようNeutralNeutral; covers matters or uses, as in 「用がある」 and 「用を足す」. A shorter, more compact alternative to 「用事」.
• Synonym用向きようむきFormalFormal, courteous term for what someone has come about, as in 「ご用向きをお伺いします」; focuses on the purpose of a visit.

Default to 「用事」 for things you need to do. Use 「用件」 for the specific matter at hand, 「所用」 in written style to politely explain an absence, 「用向き」 formally for a visitor's business, and 「用」 when a short form will do.

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

1. なすべき仕事しごと。用件ようけん。