Japanese word

交通事故

Pronunciation

Romajikōtsūjiko

Meaning

  • nountraffic accident

Example

あの道で交通事故が起きました。a no michi de kō tsū ji ko ga o ki ma shi ta

There was a traffic accident on that road.

Illustration for 交通事故 (traffic accident)

More examples

交通事故に遭った人を助けました。kō tsū ji ko ni a tta hito o tasu ke ma shi ta

I helped a person who was involved in a traffic accident.

Core concept

Refers to an unintended harmful event that occurs while people or vehicles are using roads or other forms of transport.

Common phrases

  • 交通事故に遭うkō tsū ji ko ni a u

    be involved in a traffic accident

  • 交通事故を起こすkō tsū ji ko o o ko su

    cause a traffic accident

  • 交通事故を防ぐkō tsū ji ko o fuse gu

    prevent traffic accidents

  • 交通事故の原因kō tsū ji ko no gen in

    cause of a traffic accident

Definition in Japanese

道路や交通機関で、車両や人が関わって起こる事故。dō ro ya kō tsū ki kan de sha ryō ya hito ga kaka wa tte o ko ru ji ko

Word origin

交通 (kōtsū, "traffic") combines 交 (kō, "cross or interact") and 通 (tsū, "pass through"), while 事故 (jiko, "accident") combines 事 (ji, "matter") and 故 (ko, "cause or circumstance").

Usage tips

  • The Japanese term 交通事故 (kōtsū jiko) can be used as a neutral topic in conversation because it does not assign blame on its own.

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