Translation and Meaning of: 事故 - jiko

On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 事故 (jiko) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.

Romaji: jiko

Kana: じこ

Type: noun

L: jlpt-n4

事故

Translation / Meaning: accident; incident; problem; circumstances; reasons

Meaning in English: accident;incident;trouble;circumstances;reasons

Definition: An unfortunate incident or incident caused by an unexpected event or disaster.

Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases

Explanation and Etymology - (事故) jiko

The Japanese word 「事故」 (jiko) is widely used in everyday life to refer to "accidents." This term consists of two distinct kanji: 「事」 (ji), which means "thing," "matter," or "event," and 「故」 (ko), which can be translated as "cause" or "reason." When combined, they form an expression that, together, denotes an unexpected incident or an adverse event that arises from a specific cause.

The use of the word 「事故」 is not limited to traffic accidents, although this is one of the most common contexts in which it appears. The expression encompasses a variety of unforeseen or unwanted situations, such as industrial accidents, domestic incidents, or even natural disasters, depending on the context in which it is used. It is important to emphasize that 「事故」 suggests a situation that was not planned and generally has negative consequences.

Historically, the use of the word 「事故」 and its variations have deep roots in the Japanese language. Over the centuries, the word has evolved to encompass not only tragic events but also minor inconveniences that occur in everyday life. This is evidenced in expressions like 「交通事故」 (koutsuu jiko), which means "traffic accident," and 「労働災害事故」 (roudou saigai jiko), translated as "work accident."

In addition to its practical use, the word 「事故」 has a broader meaning in Japanese culture, which values foresight and caution. In Japanese society, emphasis is placed on preventing 「事故」 through careful planning and attention to detail, whether at home, at work, or on the roads. This mindset not only helps mitigate the effects of accidents but also shapes the way people perceive and react to unexpected events.