件
affair, case, matter, item
Readings
On'yomi
- ケン
Kun'yomi
- くだん
Meaning
件 centers on a distinct countable matter: an affair, a case, or an item. It treats an event or thing as a discrete unit that can be discussed or handled.
Most common words using 件
20 of 254- 事件じけんN3
event; affair; incident; case; plot; trouble; scandal
- 件けんN2
matter; affair; case; item; subject
- 条件じょうけんN3
condition; term; requirement; qualification; prerequisite
- 案件あんけん
matter (to discuss); item (on the agenda); issue; topic; case
- 要件ようけん
important matter
- 物件ぶっけんN1
article; thing; object
- 件数けんすう
number of cases, incidents, items, messages, accounts, etc.
- 本件ほんけん
this matter; this case
- 無条件むじょうけんN1
unconditional
- 件くだり
passage; paragraph
- 別件べっけん
separate case; another matter; different matter; another project
- 用件ようけんN1
business; thing to be done; something that should be performed; information that should be conveyed
- 件名けんめいN3
subject; title
- 立件りっけん
assembling a criminal case
- 好条件こうじょうけん
favourable terms; favorable terms; favourable conditions; favorable conditions; place in the sun
- 件くだんN1
the aforementioned; the said; (man, incident, etc.) in question; the above-mentioned; the aforesaid
- 難事件なんじけん
difficult case
- 悪条件あくじょうけん
unfavorable conditions; unfavourable conditions
- 条件づけじょうけんづけ
conditioning
- 人件費じんけんひ
personnel expenses; labor cost; labour cost
Study
Etymology
件 combines 亻 (person) and 牛 (cow). The historical development is uncertain, but it may relate to counting or dividing items, possibly from the idea of a person handling or dividing an ox.
Meaning mnemonic
A person 亻 beside a cow 牛: imagine a person counting cows, treating each cow as a separate item or case to be managed.
Reading mnemonic
For ケン, picture a person handling a case file with a big 'KEN' stamp on it: Ken -> ケン, and the person is dealing with the affair.