件(けん)

けん
noun / counter
matter, case; counter for cases
1. matter, case, affair, incident
A specific matter, topic, or incident under discussion or consideration. Often used to refer back to something previously mentioned.
その件(けん)については後(あと)で話(はな)しましょう。
Let's discuss that matter later.
メールの件(けん)でお電話(でんわ)しました。
I'm calling regarding the matter in the email.
例(れい)の件(けん)は部長(ぶちょう)に確認(かくにん)してからお返事(へんじ)します。
I'll get back to you about that matter after confirming with the department head.
2. counter for cases, incidents, or items
A counter used for incidents, cases, complaints, applications, and similar discrete items or occurrences.
苦情(くじょう)が三(さん)件(けん)入(はい)った。
Three complaints came in.
今月(こんげつ)は問(と)い合(あ)わせが五十(ごじゅう)件(けん)あった。
There were fifty inquiries this month.
昨年(さくねん)の交通(こうつう)事故(じこ)は約(やく)一万(いちまん)件(けん)報告(ほうこく)されている。
Approximately ten thousand traffic accidents were reported last year.

As a noun, 件(けん) is often used with demonstratives: その件(けん) (that matter), この件(けん) (this matter), 例(れい)の件(けん) (that matter we discussed).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • その件(けん) (that matter)
  • 例(れい)の件(けん) (the matter in question)
  • 〜の件(けん)で (regarding the matter of...)
  • 何(なん)件(けん) (how many cases)

COUNTER USAGE:

As a counter, 件(けん) has no sound changes. It counts:

  • 事件(じけん) (incidents), 事故(じこ) (accidents)
  • 問(と)い合(あ)わせ (inquiries), 苦情(くじょう) (complaints)
  • 申(もう)し込(こ)み (applications), 契約(けいやく) (contracts)

COUNTING PATTERN:
1: 一(いっ)件(けん)　2: 二(に)件(けん)　3: 三(さん)件(けん)　4: 四(よん)件(けん)　5: 五(ご)件(けん)
6: 六(ろく)件(けん)　7: 七(なな)件(けん)　8: 八(はち)件(けん)　9: 九(きゅう)件(けん)　10: 十(じゅっ)件(けん)

general
Added 2026.2.18 6:42
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