別べつ条じょう

べ

つ

じょ

う

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

something unusual; something wrong; mishap

Almost always used in negative expressions like 別条なく or 別条がない to mean 'nothing unusual/wrong' or 'no change for the worse'. The literal meaning 'different situation' is rare.

検けん査さの結けっ果か、体からだに別べつ条じょうはなかった。
The test results showed nothing wrong with my body.

事じ故こ後ごも意い識しきははっきりしており、命いのちに別べつ条じょうはないという。

He remained conscious after the accident and his life is reportedly not in danger.

Written forms

別べつ条じょうUsage23%
Standard kanji form, especially in news and formal contexts.
別べつ状じょうUsage77%
Alternate kanji form; 別条 is more common in modern usage.

Kanji

別separate, branch off, diverge
状status quo, conditions, circumstances
条article, clause, counter for articles, clauses, paragraphs, etc.

Similar words

異い常じょう
異常 is a general word for 'abnormality' or 'something wrong', used in both positive and negative sentences. 別条 is limited to negative constructions and sounds more formal or written.
異い状じょう
異状 also means 'something unusual/wrong', often interchangeable with 異常, but 別条 is more restricted to the set phrase 別条がない.

Etymology

Compound of 別 (different) and 条 (article, condition). The meaning shifted from 'different condition' to 'something unusual/wrong', now used almost exclusively in negative phrases.