Meaning and Usage
"ケース" is a loanword from English "case" and is widely used in Japanese with several meanings. It can refer to a physical container like a box or cover (e.g., smartphone case), a situation or condition (similar to "in this case"), or a legal/criminal case.
Common Collocations
- スマホのケース (smartphone case): a protective cover for phones.
- このケースでは (in this case): used to introduce a specific situation.
- 事件のケース (case of an incident): referring to a legal or investigative case.
Register and Nuance
"ケース" is a casual and common term used in everyday conversation and formal contexts alike. It is often used in technical, legal, and everyday settings. When referring to physical objects, it usually means a container or cover. When used abstractly, it means a situation or example.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse "ケース" with similar-sounding words like "ケーススタディ" (case study) or "ケースバイケース" (case by case). Also, remember that "ケース" can be both concrete (a box) and abstract (a situation), so context is key to understanding its meaning.