用事ができた
youji ga dekita
In Japanese, "something came up" is expressed as 用事ができた (youji ga dekita).
The phrase is used to express that an unexpected event or task has occurred that requires your attention and changes your plans. It is a common, socially acceptable way to cancel plans or leave early without having to specify the exact nature of the private matter.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 用事 (youji) literally means an errand, business or something that needs to be done.
Which one should you use?
While 'something came up' in English can sometimes sound slightly vague or dismissive, 用事ができた is a standard, neutral way to express that a prior commitment or unexpected task has arisen.
How do you pronounce it?
youji ga dekita
Did you know?
- While 用事ができた is a polite way to cancel, adding 急な (kyu-na) meaning 'sudden' transforms it into 急な用事ができた, which is the standard social 'code' for an emergency that prevents further questioning.
- The verb できる (dekiru) in this phrase does not mean 'can do' or 'to be able to', but rather 'to arise' or 'to be newly formed'.
- In Japanese culture, using 用事ができた is actually a way of being polite by protecting the listener from the burden of your private details.
Examples in context
- すみません、急な予定が入りましたので、会議に参加できません。I'm sorry, I won't be able to attend the meeting due to an unexpected appointment that has come up.
- 言いたいことがありまして、急な用事が発生しまして、今日の打ち合わせに参加できません。There's something I need to discuss, but due to a sudden matter that has come up, I won't be able to attend today's meeting.
- やっべ、用事が入っちゃったから、デートは次回にしよう。Oops, something came up, so let's reschedule our date for next time.
- ごめん、急用ができちゃったから、今日のライブに行けないよ。Sorry, something urgent came up, so I can't go to the live performance today.
- 急に用事ができた。kyuu ni youji ga dekita.Something suddenly came up.
- ごめん、用事ができたから帰るね。gomen, youji ga dekita kara kaeru ne.Sorry, something came up so I'm going home.
- また用事ができたみたいだ。mata youji ga dekita mitai da.It looks like something came up again.
Example conversation
Yui calls Kenta to cancel their dinner plans.
- 結衣 Yui健太くん、ごめん。急に用事ができた。Kenta-kun, gomen. Kyū ni yōji ga dekita.Kenta, I'm sorry. Something came up suddenly.
- 健太 Kentaえっ、本当に？残念だな。Eh, hontō ni? Zannen da na.What, really? That's too bad.
- 結衣 Yuiまた別の日にしよう。Mata betsu no hi ni shiyō.Let's do it another day.
- 健太 Kentaわかった。また連絡してね。Wakatta. Mata renraku shite ne.I understand. Let me know again.
