Understanding 経験 (けいけん)
The word 経験 means "experience" and is commonly used to talk about personal or professional experiences. It can refer to practical knowledge gained through doing something or encountering situations.
Usage and Nuances
経験 is often used with verbs like する (to do) to form 経験する, meaning "to experience" or "to have experience." It can describe both positive and negative experiences, and is frequently used in job contexts to indicate skills or background.
Common Collocations
- 経験がある: to have experience (used when stating you have done something before)
- 経験を積む: to gain experience (used when talking about accumulating experience over time)
- 経験不足: lack of experience (common in job or learning contexts)
Register and Politeness
経験 is neutral and appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. When used in business or resumes, it highlights qualifications.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 経験 with 知識 (knowledge). 経験 emphasizes practical, lived experience, while 知識 refers to theoretical knowledge. Use 経験 when talking about what you have actually done or encountered.