Translation guide
The English word 'experience' covers both the countable events you go through and the uncountable knowledge/skill gained from them. Japanese splits these into different words and grammar patterns.
教えた経験があります。
I have experience in teaching.
いい経験になりました。
It was a great experience.
Referring to a specific event or incident that happened to you.
The most common word for a personal experience. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to experience'.
それは貴重な経験でした。
That was a valuable experience.
海外で働くという経験をしたい。
I want to have the experience of working abroad.
Emphasizes firsthand, practical experience. Often used for workshops, tours, or trying something new.
陶芸体験を予約した。
I booked a pottery experience.
Referring to the accumulated wisdom or ability from past events.
Also used for uncountable experience. Context makes the meaning clear.
彼は経験が豊富だ。
He has a lot of experience.
経験を積むことが大切だ。
It's important to gain experience.
Often used in professional contexts to mean work experience or career history.
Expressing the action of undergoing or feeling something.
The standard way to say 'to experience something'. Use with a noun.
初めての地震を経験した。
I experienced my first earthquake.
To experience firsthand, often for a limited time or as a trial.
日本の文化を体験したい。
I want to experience Japanese culture.
Grammar pattern meaning 'have done something before'. Used to talk about past experiences.
日本に行ったことがありますか。
Have you ever been to Japan? (lit. Do you have the experience of going to Japan?)
刺身を食べたことがない。
I've never eaten sashimi.
Referring to professional background or employment history.
Specifically means work history or employment record.
履歴書に職歴を書いてください。
Please write your work experience on the resume.
経験 is broader and can be mental, emotional, or abstract. 体験 emphasizes physical, hands-on participation. Use 体験 for workshops, tours, or trying activities. Use 経験 for life events, work, and general past happenings.
失恋はつらい経験だ。
Heartbreak is a painful experience.
スカイダイビング体験をした。
I did a skydiving experience.
English speakers often try to translate 'experience' directly into Japanese, but in many cases it's more natural to use a different structure. For example, 'I experienced culture shock' is better as 「カルチャーショックを受けた」 rather than 「カルチャーショックを経験した」.
She has a long experience in marketing.
Practical work experience, often used in job ads.
実務経験３年以上。
At least 3 years of practical experience.