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.

Let's discuss that matter later.

I'm calling regarding the matter in the email.

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.

Three complaints came in.

There were fifty inquiries this month.

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).

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

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 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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