Translation and Meaning of: 事 - koto
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 事 (koto) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: koto
Kana: こと
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: thing; matter; fact; circumstances; business; reason; experience
Meaning in English: thing;matter;fact;circumstances;business;reason;experience
Definition: Refers to something happening or being done.
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (事) koto
The Japanese word 「事」, read as 「こと」 (koto), has a rich etymology and a significant variety of uses in the Japanese language. The kanji 「事」 is composed of radicals that denote the representation of things, matters, or events, and is widely used to describe actions, facts, and occurrences. The hiragana pronunciation 「こと」 emphasizes its use for abstract events or situations, in contrast to tangible objects that use the kanji 「もの」 (mono).
In the context of the Japanese language, 「こと」 can indicate a range of concepts related to events and situations. It is common to find the word in expressions that describe actions or states, such as in 「すること」 (surukoto) which means "to do something" or "the act of doing." Furthermore, 「こと」 is often used in grammatical constructions that express experience or ability, such as in 「ことができる」 (koto ga dekiru), which means "to be able to" or "can do something."
Historically, the origin of the use of 「こと」 dates back to ancient Japanese texts, where it was used to describe natural phenomena or cultural rituals. Over time, its use expanded to encompass more abstract and intangible aspects of reality, reflecting the comprehensive way in which the Japanese perceive and describe the world around them. This evolution demonstrates the flexibility and adaptability of the Japanese language over the centuries.
Variations and Use of 「こと」
- Abstract Concept: It refers to events, ideas, or actions, especially when one wants to focus on their essence.
- Experience and Capability: Used to indicate ability or permission, as in 「ことがある」 (koto ga aru), which translates the idea of "having done something before".
- Linguistic Use: Applied in idiomatic and grammatical expressions, facilitating the communication of intangible aspects.
The word 「こと」 is a classic example of the semantic depth and flexibility of the Japanese language, highlighting the importance of understanding not just the literal meaning, but also the cultural and contextual nuances in its usage. With this understanding, it becomes easier to appreciate its applicability in various situations of everyday life and Japanese literary texts.
Synonyms and similar words
- 物事 (monogoto) - Things, events or subjects in general.
- 事柄 (kotogara) - Issues or matters that need to be discussed or resolved.
- 事象 (jishou) - Phenomena or events that can be observed or studied.
- 出来事 (dekigoto) - Events or occurrences, usually relevant or significant.
- 事件 (jiken) - Incidents or cases, often with legal or security connotations.
- 事態 (jitai) - Current situation or circumstance, often in a problematic context.
- 事情 (jijou) - Conditions or circumstances, often used to explain a situation.
- 事実 (jijitsu) - Facts or truths, as opposed to opinions or interpretations.
- 事項 (jikou) - Points or articles, often used in administrative contexts.
- 事例 (jirei) - Example cases, used to illustrate or explain something.
- 事務 (jimu) - Administrative or office work.
- 事業 (jigyou) - Commercial, social, or research projects or initiatives.
- 事業体 (jigyoutai) - Business entity or organization that carries out commercial activities.
- 事業所 (jigyousho) - Place where a business or project is carried out.
- 事務所 (jimusho) - Office or administrative workplace.
- 事務局 (jimukyoku) - Administrative office, often of organizations or committees.
- 事務局長 (jimukyokucho) - Head of the administrative office, responsible for operations.
- 事務室 (jimushitsu) - Administration room or office where work is performed.
- 事務員 (jimuin) - Office worker, responsible for administrative tasks.
- 事務作業 (jimusakugyou) - Administrative work or office tasks performed.
- 事務手続き (jimutesuzuki) - Administrative processes or procedures.
- 事務処理 (jimushoori) - Processing of administrative work or tasks.
- 事務管理 (jimukanri) - Administrative management encompasses supervision and organization of activities.
- 事務管理者 (jimukanrisha) - Administrator responsible for managing office operations.
- 事務職 (jimushoku) - Position or administrative role in a company or organization.
- 事務職員 (jimushokuin) - Employee holding an administrative position.
- 事務系 (jimukei) - Category or segment related to administrative work.
- 事務能力 (jimu nouryoku) - Administrative skills or competencies.
- 事務能率 (jimu nouritsu) - Effectiveness or efficiency in administrative tasks.
- 事務能力試験 (jimu nouryoku shiken) - Exam to assess administrative skills.
- 事務能率向上 (jimu nouritsu koujou) - Improvement of administrative efficiency.
Words related
Words with the same pronunciation: こと koto
How to Write in Japanese - (事) koto
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (事) koto:
Example Sentences - (事) koto
Below are some example sentences:
Suiji wa kaji no naka demo juuyou na yakuwari wo ninatte imasu
Cooking is an important role among household chores.
Cooking plays an important role in housework.
- 炊事 - Food preparation, kitchen
- 家事 - Housework
- 中でも - Among them, especially
- 重要な - Importante
- 役割を担っています - Plays a role
Doboku kouji wa taisetsu na shakai infra no hitotsu desu
Civil engineering is one of the important social infrastructures.
Civil engineering is one of the important social infrastructure.
- 土木工事 - Construction
- は - Topic particle
- 大切な - Importante
- 社会 - Society
- インフラ - Infrastructure
- の - Possession particle
- 一つ - One
- です - To be
Ryōji wa gaikōkan no ichiin desu
The consul is a member of the diplomatic corps.
The consular is a member of the diplomat.
- 領事 - Consul
- は - Topic particle
- 外交官 - Diplomat
- の - Possession particle
- 一員 - Member
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Shokuji wa taisetsu na jikan desu
The meal is an important moment.
Meals are an important moment.
- 食事 (shokuji) - It refers to a meal.
- は (wa) - Topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "食事".
- 大切 (taisetsu) - It means "important" or "valuable".
- な (na) - Particle that connects "大切" with "時間" and indicates that "大切" is an adjective.
- 時間 (jikan) - It means "time".
- です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense.
Watashitachi wa gurūpu de issho ni shigoto o shimasu
We work together as a group.
We work together in the group.
- 私たちは - "We"
- グループで - "in group"
- 一緒に - "together"
- 仕事をします - "we work"
Monogoto wa tsuneni henka suru
Things always change.
Things always change.
- 物事 (monogoto) - things, subjects
- は (wa) - topic particle
- 常に (tsuneni) - ever
- 変化する (henka suru) - change, vary
Mujou ni kitaku shimashita
I returned home safely.
I got home safely.
- 無事に - "without problems" or "without incident"
- 帰宅 - "coming home"
- しました - "made" or "realized"
Chuujitsu ni shigoto wo suru
Do work with loyalty.
Work faithfully.
- 忠実に - faithfully, faithfully
- 仕事 - work, employment
- を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
- する - do, accomplish
Kanojo wa watashi ni shigoto o iitsuketa
She gave me work orders.
She gave me a job.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - topic particle
- 私に (watashi ni) - for me
- 仕事 (shigoto) - work
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 言い付けた (iitsuketa) - ordenou
Gakkou no gyouji wa tanoshii desu
School activities are fun.
School events are fun.
- 学校 - school
- の - possession particle
- 行事 - event
- は - topic particle
- 楽しい - funny
- です - verb "to be" in the present tense
Other words of the same type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
