Japanese word

些事

Pronunciation

Romajisaji

Meaning

  • nountrivial matter

Example

彼は些事を気にしません。kare wa sa ji o ki ni shi ma se n

He does not worry about trivial matters.

Illustration for 些事 (trivial matter)

More examples

会議では些事にこだわらず、結論を出しましょう。kai gi de wa sa ji ni ko da wa ra zu ketsu ron o da shi ma shō

In the meeting, let's reach a conclusion without dwelling on trivial matters.

Core concept

Frames 些事 (saji, "trivial matter") as a minor affair that stands outside the main concern.

Common phrases

  • 些事を気にするsa ji o ki ni su ru

    worry about trivial matters

  • 些事にこだわるsa ji ni ko da wa ru

    dwell on trivial matters

  • 些事にかかずらうsa ji ni ka ka zu ra u

    concern oneself with trivial matters

Similar words

小事shōji: A matter of little importance.
細事saiji: A small detail or matter that has little importance.
枝葉edaha: A secondary detail that is separate from the main point.

Definition in Japanese

全体に大きな影響を及ぼさない小さな事柄。zen tai ni ō ki na ei kyō o oyo bo sa na i chii sa na koto gara

Word origin

The word 些事 (saji, "trivial matter") uses 些 (sa, "small in amount") with 事 (ji, "an affair or matter"), forming a Sino-Japanese compound.

Usage tips

  • Because 些事 (saji) has a formal tone, it appears more often in written language than in casual conversation.

Opposites

Word lists with this word