Yuka都合 vs 事情 — both relate to circumstances or reasons, but they have very different uses. Let's look at how each is used and when to choose one over the other!
ReiThese two words are both common in business and everyday Japanese, but mixing them up can sound odd. The key is understanding what each one emphasizes.
At a Glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 都合 | つごう | Convenience; schedule; circumstances | Focuses on whether something is convenient or fits your schedule |
| 事情 | じじょう | Circumstances; reasons; situation | Focuses on the background reasons or situation behind something |
都合 (つごう) — Convenience / Schedule
都合 refers to how convenient something is or whether your schedule allows it. It's often about timing, availability, and personal convenience.
- 都合がいい — convenient / works well
- 都合が悪い — inconvenient / doesn't work
- 都合をつける — to arrange one's schedule / to make time
- ご都合はいかがですか？— How is your schedule? / What works for you?
- 都合により — due to circumstances (polite reason for cancellation)
Yuka今週の都合がいい日を教えてください。
Please let me know which day works for you this week.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| その日は都合が悪いです。 | That day doesn't work for me. |
| 都合をつけて参加します。 | I'll arrange my schedule to attend. |
| 都合により中止になりました。 | It has been cancelled due to circumstances. |
事情 (じじょう) — Circumstances / Background Reasons
事情 refers to the background circumstances or reasons behind a situation — often things that are not fully explained or involve personal/sensitive context.
- 事情がある — there are reasons/circumstances (often unspoken)
- 事情を話す — to explain the circumstances
- 家庭の事情 — family circumstances
- 諸事情により — due to various circumstances
- 事情があって… — due to circumstances… (something happened)
Rei事情 is often used to hint at something without explaining fully. 「事情があって行けない」means “I can't go due to certain circumstances” — implying there's a reason but not specifying it. It's a polite way to avoid full disclosure.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 諸事情により、中止になりました。 | It has been cancelled due to various circumstances. |
| 彼には彼なりの事情がある。 | He has his own circumstances / reasons. |
| 家庭の事情で会社を辞めた。 | I quit the company due to family circumstances. |
Key Differences
| 都合 | 事情 | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Convenience, scheduling | Background reasons, circumstances |
| Asking about | Whether something fits your schedule | What happened / the background |
| Common phrases | 都合がいい/悪い | 事情がある、家庭の事情 |
| Implies hidden info? | No | Often yes — private or unspoken reasons |
| Example | 都合が悪い（その日は無理） | 事情があって来られない（理由は言えない） |
Quick Quiz
Choose 都合 or 事情:
- 「来週の___はいかがですか？」→ 都合 (scheduling)
- 「家庭の___で休みます」→ 事情 (family circumstances)
- 「___により、イベントが中止になりました」→ 諸事情 (background reasons)
- 「明日、___がつけば参加します」→ 都合 (schedule permitting)
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