Translation guide
The English word 'incident' covers a range of events, from everyday happenings to serious accidents. In Japanese, the best translation depends on the nature and severity of the event.
Referring to something that happened, without implying severity.
A general term for an event or happening. Neutral and widely used.
昨日の出来事を話してください。
Please tell me about yesterday's incident.
Often implies a more serious or newsworthy event, like a crime or accident. Can also be used for notable incidents.
その事件は新聞に載った。
The incident was reported in the newspaper.
An unexpected event causing damage, injury, or disruption.
Specifically an accident, often involving vehicles, injuries, or unintended harm.
交通事故が発生しました。
A traffic incident occurred.
小さな事故だったので、けが人はいません。
It was a minor incident, so no one was injured.
A loanword meaning trouble or a problematic incident, often used in everyday contexts.
An incident involving illegal or unethical behavior.
The standard term for a criminal case or scandalous incident.
殺人事件の容疑者が逮捕された。
The suspect in the murder incident was arrested.
A scandal or misconduct incident, often used in corporate or political contexts.
A politically sensitive event between countries.
Used for international incidents, often with a modifier.
その発言は外交事件に発展した。
The remark escalated into a diplomatic incident.
Refers to a dispute or conflict, often armed or serious.
A small, often insignificant event.
A phrase meaning 'a little incident' or 'a minor happening'.
それはちょっとした出来事に過ぎない。
It was just a minor incident.
A loanword for an unexpected, often amusing incident.
パーティーで小さなハプニングがあった。
There was a small incident at the party.
事件 (jiken) is for notable or criminal incidents. 事故 (jiko) is for accidents. 出来事 (dekigoto) is a neutral 'event' or 'happening'. Choose based on the nature of the incident.
事件：警察が事件を捜査している。
Incident: The police are investigating the incident.
事故：事故で電車が遅れた。
Accident: The train was delayed due to an incident.
出来事：今日の出来事を日記に書いた。
Event: I wrote about today's incident in my diary.
The loanword インシデント (inshidento) exists but is mainly used in IT/security contexts (e.g., セキュリティインシデント). For general incidents, use native Japanese words.
機械にトラブルが起きた。
An incident occurred with the machine.
The company's scandalous incident came to light.
国境紛争が起きた。
A border incident occurred.