Meaning and Usage
"無事" (ぶじ) primarily means "safety" or "peace," often used to express that something has happened without problems or accidents. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe safe arrivals, successful completions, or to wish someone safety.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "無事" when talking about travel, events, or situations where safety is a concern. For example, "無事に帰る" means "to return safely." It can also be used in phrases like "無事を祈る" (to pray for safety).
Collocations and Patterns
- 無事に + verb (e.g., 無事に終わる): indicates something completed safely or without trouble.
- 無事を祈る: to pray or hope for someone's safety.
- 無事に帰る: to return safely.
Register and Nuance
"無事" is neutral and polite enough for everyday use, both in spoken and written Japanese. It is not overly formal but appropriate in many situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "無事" with words meaning "no problem" or "okay" in casual speech. Remember that "無事" specifically emphasizes safety or absence of accidents rather than general approval or agreement.