Japanese word

用事

Pronunciation

Romajiyōji

Meaning

  • nounsomething to do

Example

今日は用事があります。kyō wa yō ji ga a ri ma su

I have something to do today.

Illustration for 用事 (something to do)

More examples

明日は銀行へ用事を済ませに行きます。asu wa gin kō e yō ji o su ma se ni i ki ma su

Tomorrow, I am going to the bank to take care of an errand.

Core concept

Refers to a specific matter that someone needs to handle, such as a task, errand, or planned engagement.

Common phrases

  • 用事があるyō ji ga a ru

    have something to do

  • 用事を済ませるyō ji o su ma se ru

    take care of an errand

  • 用事のついでにyō ji no tsu i de ni

    while out on an errand

Similar words

用件yōken: A matter that needs to be discussed, communicated, or dealt with.
お使いotsukai: A short trip made to buy, deliver, or fetch something.

Definition in Japanese

目的があって行うべき仕事や外出など、個別の事情に関わる事柄。moku teki ga a tte okona u be ki shi goto ya gai shutsu na do ko betsu no ji jō ni kaka wa ru koto gara

Word origin

用事 (yōji) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 用 (yō, "use") and 事 (ji, "matter"), meaning a matter connected with a practical purpose.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 用事がある (yōji ga aru) often serves as a natural reason for being unable to attend or respond immediately.

Other meanings

  • errandnoun
  • businessnoun

Word lists with this word