Matters and events with 事
The kanji 事 refers to things, events, work, or abstract concepts.
Etymology
This kanji is an ancient pictogram associated with a hand carrying out a task with a tool, with a focuses on doing or handling something rather than on an object itself.
Circumstances
事情 (Circumstances)
事情 refers to the current state of affairs, as well as the sequence of events leading up to it and the underlying reasons.
It combines 事 (matter) with 情 (real condition) to show the circumstances of a matter.
Takeo tries helping the girl who likes his friend Sunakawa. When Takeo receives a call from his own girlfriend, he realizes he’s alone with another girl.
- たけお:
- 「すまん大和に事情説明させてほしい」
- “Sorry, I'd like you to let me explain the situation to Yamato.”
- 「ゆきかちゃんが砂川を好きだってこと大和に話していいか？」
- “Is it all right if I tell Yamato you like Suna?”
- “Sorry, I'd like you to let me explain the situation to Yamato.”
Note: Takeo calls Sunakawa “Suna”, which is why the furigana on 砂川 is すな.
Events
事件 (Incident)
事件 refers to events that become social issues or unexpected occurrences that capture people’s attention.
It combines 事 (matter) with 件 (case) to show a distinct case or incident.
Following the solving of a murder case, Detective Mouri reads an article about the museum where the murder took place.
- 蘭:
- 「へーーー あの美術館続けることになったんだ…」
- “Wow... So they decided to keep the art museum open after all...”
- 毛利:
- 「ああ… 事件のせいで美術館を存続させようという市民の声が上がったからな…」
- “Yeah... Because of the incident, there was a public outcry to keep the art museum open...”
Significance
無事 (Safety)
無事 refers to a state of calmness free from danger or disaster, as well as a situation in which there are no unexpected problems or unusual occurrences.
It combines 無 (without) with 事 (incident) to show being without incident.
Ninako is on the train after school when she notices Ren, a popular boy from school, sleeping a few seats down. The boy suddenly wakes as the train comes to a stop, and he hurries to get off, accidentally knocking Ninako’s phone from her hand. It falls to the floor, and the phone strap charm breaks. Ren misses his exit as he stops to apologize to Ninako, saying he’ll replace the charm.
- 仁奈子:
- 「だっ 大丈夫ですっ」
- “I---it's all right.”
- 「ケータイは無事だし！」
- “Since my cell phone is safe!”
- 「それにこのストラップただのジュースのおまけだし」
- “Furthermore, this strap is just a juice prize.”
- 「しかももうだいぶ前〜〜〜〜のやつで古いから」
- “Plus, it's from way back when, so it's old.”
- “I---it's all right.”
刑事 (Detective)
刑事 is a police officer who specializes in investigating crimes and arresting suspects.
It combines 刑 (criminal law) with 事 (matter) to show someone who deals with criminal matters.
Police detective Yokomizo isn’t about to let Sasai, his prime murder suspect, leave. Sasai reminds the officer that he has photographic proof that he wasn’t near the victim at the time of the murder. He calls for Detective Mouri to back him up.
- 笹井:
- 「名探偵のあなたからもいってやってくださいよ。 この刑事がいかに無能かという事を…」
- “You, the great detective, should tell him yourself. Just how incompetent this police detective is...”
Work
仕事 (Work)
仕事 is a broad term that refers not only to one’s profession or labor but also to tasks and roles in general.
It combines 仕 (do) with 事 (matter) to show a task one performs.
Kate says she wants to study together with Emiriko before bedtime.
- エミリコ:
- 「あっ… ごめんなさい。実は外の仕事を深夜にもすることになって…」
- “Ah, I'm sorry. The truth is, I'm scheduled to do late-night work outside...”
- 「また別の機会にお願いします！」
- “Please ask again another time!”
- “Ah, I'm sorry. The truth is, I'm scheduled to do late-night work outside...”
事務所 (Office)
事務所 refers to a location or building where a company or organization conducts administrative work or uses as a base of operations.
It combines 事務 (office work) with 所 (place) to show the place for office work.
After returning home from a case, Kogoro celebrates by drinking himself to sleep. Ran sits alone, pondering Shin’ichi’s whereabouts, as she hasn’t heard from him since the day he mysteriously vanished. The phone rings. With her father asleep, Ran answers it.
- 蘭:
- 「ハイ… 毛利探偵事務…」
- “Hello... Mouri Detective Agenc--”