Meaning
The kanji 件 (けん) is a versatile character meaning 'case,' 'matter,' 'item,' 'affair,' and 'incident.' It often functions as a counter or refers to specific occurrences and pieces of information. More broadly, it denotes a discrete unit or instance of something, such as a legal case, a business item, or an email subject.
Its origin traces back to a semantic-phonetic compound. The left-hand radical, 人 (にんべん), is the 'person' radical. This component provides a semantic clue, suggesting that 件 often relates to matters concerning people, human affairs, or things handled by individuals.
The right-hand component is 牛 (うし), meaning 'cow' or 'ox.' While 'cow' might seem unexpected, in this context, 牛 primarily serves as a phonetic component. It lends its sound to the kanji, though it's slightly altered in Japanese readings like ケン. Historically, 件 was also used as a counter for individual cattle. This suggests a concrete 'item' or 'unit' aspect that later generalized to abstract cases or matters. You can thus visualize 件 as a 'person' (人) dealing with or counting 'items/matters,' represented by 牛 and its phonetic function.
This combination makes it a logical character for referring to distinct units of information, events, or objects that people encounter or manage.
The kanji 件 has 6 strokes and is taught in the 4th grade in Japanese elementary schools. It corresponds to an N3 level in the JLPT, highlighting its intermediate frequency and common use in everyday Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 件 is ケン (KEN). This reading is very common and appears in the vast majority of compound words containing 件. It signifies 'case,' 'matter,' 'item,' or 'number of items.' It's particularly common when counting cases, incidents, or pieces of information, and in terms referring to specific types of affairs.
- 事件 (jiken) — incident, case, affair. This widely used word refers to an event or occurrence, often one that is noteworthy or problematic, such as a crime.
- 物件 (bukken) — article, property, item. This term is frequently used in real estate to refer to a specific property, like a house or apartment.
- 条件 (jouken) — condition, requirement, term. This refers to the prerequisites or stipulations for something to happen or be true.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Unlike many kanji that have common native Japanese readings when standing alone (e.g., 山 for やま or 川 for かわ), 件 has a special reading: くだん (kudan). This reading is considered an irregular or special Kun'yomi. It refers to something that has been previously mentioned or is already understood from the context, implying 'the aforementioned' or 'the said matter/person/thing.'
- 件 (kudan) — the aforementioned, the said. This can be used as a noun itself to refer to the current topic.
- 件の通り (kudan no toori) — as stated above, as mentioned before. This phrase is common in formal writing or emails to refer back to a previous point.
- 件の件 (kudan no ken) — the matter in question, the aforementioned matter. This phrase explicitly combines both readings to refer to a specific issue already discussed.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 件 appears in numerous compounds, reflecting its wide use in describing distinct units, events, and conditions. These words are categorized below to help illustrate their usage.
Related to Affairs, Incidents & Matters
- 事件 (jiken) — incident, case, affair (e.g., a crime, a historical event).
- 案件 (anken) — matter, item (for discussion), case. Often used in business or official contexts for agenda items, such as 会議の案件 (kaigi no anken - agenda item for a meeting).
- 事件性 (jikensei) — criminality, suspicion of being a crime.
- 一件落着 (ikken rakuchaku) — a matter settled, incident closed.
Related to Items & Property
- 物件 (bukken) — article, property, item. Widely used for real estate listings (e.g., マンション物件 - condominium property).
- 不動産物件 (fudousan bukken) — real estate property.
- 動産物件 (dousan bukken) — movable property, chattel.
Related to Conditions & Terms
- 条件 (jouken) — condition, requirement, term. Essential for agreements and proposals.
- 必須条件 (hissu jouken) — essential condition, prerequisite.
- 契約条件 (keiyaku jouken) — contract terms/conditions.
General & Other Uses
- 用件 (youken) — business, thing to be done, matter (e.g., 「何の用件ですか？」 - 'What's your business/purpose?').
- 件数 (kensuu) — number of cases, number of items. Used for counting discrete instances, such as 電話の件数 (denwa no kensū - number of phone calls).
- 件名 (kenmei) — subject (of an email or letter). This specifies the topic of communication.
- 未解決事件 (mikaiketsu jiken) — unsolved case.
Example Sentences
昨日、変な事件が起きました。
Kinō, hen na jiken ga okimashita.
Yesterday, a strange incident occurred.
この案件は早急に処理する必要があります。
Kono anken wa sōkyū ni shori suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.
This matter needs to be processed urgently.
新しい物件を探していますか？
Atarashii bukken o sagashite imasu ka?
Are you looking for a new property?
彼女は仕事の用件で電話をしてきました。
Kanojo wa shigoto no yōken de denwa o shite kimashita.
She called me about a work matter.
この件に関しては、私も同意見です。
Kono ken ni kanshite wa, watashi mo dōiken desu.
Regarding this matter, I am also of the same opinion.
契約の条件をよく読んでください。
Keiyaku no jōken o yoku yonde kudasai.
Please read the contract terms carefully.
件名を「ご連絡」としてメールを送りました。
Kenmei o "gorenraku" to shite mēru o okurimashita.
I sent an email with the subject "Contact."
今日の会議では、重要な案件がいくつか議論されました。
Kyō no kaigi de wa, jūyō na anken ga ikutsu ka giron saremashita.
Several important matters were discussed at today's meeting.
件の書類はすでに提出いたしましたので、ご確認ください。
Kudan no shorui wa sude ni teishutsu itashimashita node, gokakunin kudasai.
The aforementioned document has already been submitted, so please confirm it.
複雑な事件の解決には、多大な努力と時間がかかるものです。
Fukuzatsu na jiken no kaiketsu ni wa, tadai na doryoku to jikan ga kakaru mono desu.
Resolving complex incidents typically requires immense effort and time.
Memory Tip
To remember 件, visualize its components: the 'person' radical (人) on the left and 'cow' (牛) on the right. Imagine a person meticulously counting or categorizing each individual cow in a herd—each cow representing a distinct 'item' or 'case.'
Alternatively, think of a 'person' (人) handling various 'matters' or 'affairs,' which can sometimes be as numerous and demanding as managing a herd of 'cows' (牛). The 'cow' (牛) also serves as the phonetic component, helping you recall the On'yomi reading ケン. So, think of it as a 'person' dealing with a 'case' or 'item.'