状況
jōkyō[d͡ʑo̞ːkʲo̞ː]
The English phrase 'circumstances' is translated to Japanese as 状況 (jōkyō).
状況 is the most common way to describe the current state of affairs or the objective environment one is in. It refers to the circumstances or the situation.
Which one should you use?
While 状況 refers to the objective state or situation of affairs, the word 事情 is often used to refer to the underlying reasons, personal circumstances or private matters behind a situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express being 'under certain circumstances,' you can add the suffix 下 (ka) to 状況, resulting in 状況下.
How do you pronounce it?
jōkyō
Did you know?
- While 状況 describes a scene, the word 事情 is used in the phrase 事情がある to politely decline an invitation. This allows the speaker to say 'there are circumstances' without revealing any private details.
- Japanese distinguishes between 状況 (the outer scene) and 情勢 (the political or global tide). You would use 情勢 to describe the circumstances of a war or an election, whereas 状況 is for a localized scene.
- The kanji 情 in both 状況 and 事情 originally referred to 'feelings' or 'emotion'. This explains why 事情 is used for private, human-centric circumstances rather than cold, objective facts.
Examples in context
- 私がその恐ろしい状況からあなたを救ってやるぞ。I will rescue you from these horrible circumstances.Tatoeba #4562084 by Kiraness, translation #5289646 by SnowyDoll
- 私はまずい状況でそれを見ることになってしまった。I ended up seeing it under bad circumstances.Tatoeba #2116049 by Blanka_Meduzo, translation #2576144 by MethodGT
- Jōkyō wa dō desu ka? (状況はどうですか？)How are the "circumstances" or "situations"?
- Watashi no jijō wa dō nanda? (私の事情はどうなんだ？)How about my "circumstances" or "reasons"?
- 今の状況をよく理解しています。Ima no joukyou o yoku rikai shite imasu.I understand the current circumstances well.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a project delay.
- 結衣 Yui状況はどうですか、健太さん？jōkyō wa dō desu ka, Kenta-san?How are the circumstances, Kenta?
- 健太 Kenta状況はあまり良くないです。jōkyō wa amari yokunai desu.The circumstances are not very good.
- 結衣 Yui何か問題がありましたか？nanika mondai ga arimashita ka?Was there some kind of problem?
- 健太 Kentaはい、少し遅れています。hai, sukoshi okurete imasu.Yes, we are a bit behind schedule.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 状況, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
