出来事

できごと

incident happening, event

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Understanding 出来事

出来事 (できごと) refers to an incident or event that has occurred. It is commonly used to talk about specific happenings in daily life, news, or stories. The word carries a neutral tone and can describe both positive and negative events.

Usage and Nuance

When you use 出来事, you are focusing on the fact that something happened, often something noteworthy or memorable. It is often used in storytelling or recounting past experiences.

Common Collocations

  • 出来事があった (an event happened): Used to introduce or mention an incident.
  • 出来事を話す (talk about an event): Common when sharing experiences.
  • 大きな出来事 (a big event): Emphasizes the significance of the incident.

Register and Politeness

出来事 is neutral and appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. It is often used in news reports, conversations, and written narratives.

Learner Tips

A common confusion is mixing 出来事 with 事件 (じけん), which specifically means a criminal or problematic incident. 出来事 is broader and more neutral, so use 出来事 when referring to general events or happenings.

Example Sentences

きのうのできごとはまだしんじられない。

I still can't believe what happened yesterday.

がっこうでのできごとをともだちにはなした。

I told my friend about the events at school.

そのできごとがかれのじんせいをかえた。

That incident changed his life.