Japanese word

異常

Pronunciation

Romajiijō

Meaning

  • nounsomething wrong

Example

車に異常があります。kuruma ni i jō ga a ri ma su

There is something wrong with the car.

Illustration for 異常 (something wrong)

More examples

健康診断で異常が見つかりました。ken kō shin dan de i jō ga mi tsu ka ri ma shi ta

An abnormality was found during the health check.

Core concept

Points to something being outside its usual condition, especially when it suggests a problem or malfunction.

Common phrases

  • 異常があるi jō ga a ru

    something is wrong

  • 異常を感じるi jō o kan ji ru

    feel something is wrong

  • 異常がないi jō ga na i

    nothing is wrong

  • 異常を調べるi jō o shira be ru

    check for an abnormality

Similar words

問題mondai: A matter that causes difficulty or needs attention.
不具合fuguai: A fault that prevents a device or system from working properly.
不調fuchō: A condition in which a person or thing does not work or feel well.
故障koshō: A failure that stops a machine or device from working properly.

Definition in Japanese

物事が正常に働かず、普通とは違った状態にあること。mono goto ga sei jō ni hatara ka zu fu tsū to wa chiga tta jō tai ni a ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 異常 (ijō) combines 異 (i, "different") with 常 (jō, "usual"), giving the sense of a departure from normality.

Usage tips

  • When reporting a problem, speakers often use 異常があります (ijō ga arimasu) to state that something is wrong without naming the exact cause.

Other meanings

  • abnormalitynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 異常さijōsaabnormalitynoun

Word lists with this word