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.
I have experience in teaching.
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'.
That was a valuable experience.
Emphasizes firsthand, practical experience. Often used for workshops, tours, or trying something new.
Referring to the accumulated wisdom or ability from past events.
Expressing the action of undergoing or feeling something.
The standard way to say 'to experience something'. Use with a noun.
Referring to professional background or employment history.
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.
Heartbreak is a painful experience.
I want to have the experience of working abroad.
陶芸体験を予約した。
I booked a pottery experience.
Also used for uncountable experience. Context makes the meaning clear.
He has a lot of experience.
It's important to gain experience.
Often used in professional contexts to mean work experience or career history.
She has a long experience in marketing.
I experienced my first earthquake.
To experience firsthand, often for a limited time or as a trial.
I want to experience Japanese culture.
Grammar pattern meaning 'have done something before'. Used to talk about past experiences.
Have you ever been to Japan? (lit. Do you have the experience of going to Japan?)
I've never eaten sashimi.
Specifically means work history or employment record.
Please write your work experience on the resume.
Practical work experience, often used in job ads.
At least 3 years of practical 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」.