いきさつ
いきさつ
noun
circumstances; details; complications
1.
circumstances; details; the whole story
The sequence of events or background leading to a particular situation. Used when explaining how something came about.
いきさつを聞かせてください。
Please tell me the whole story.
事件のいきさつを詳しく説明した。
I explained the circumstances of the incident in detail.
そういういきさつで、彼はこの会社を辞めることになった。
Under those circumstances, he ended up leaving the company.
2.
complications; entanglement
Difficulties or complex factors involved in a situation, often implying interpersonal friction or complicated relationships.
二人の間にはいろいろないきさつがある。
There are various complications between the two of them.
過去のいきさつがあるので、協力するのは難しい。
Because of past complications, it's difficult to cooperate.
両者の間には複雑ないきさつがあり、簡単には解決できない。
There are complicated entanglements between the two parties, and it can't be resolved easily.
USAGE:
Usually written in hiragana. The kanji form 経緯 exists but is uncommon and can also be read けいい with a slightly different nuance (more formal, factual). いきさつ tends to imply a narrative background with emotional or interpersonal complexity.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- いきさつを話す (to tell the circumstances)
- いきさつを説明する (to explain the details)
- いきさつを知る (to learn the background)
- 複雑ないきさつ (complicated circumstances)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 経緯: the course of events (more formal, written style)
- 事情: circumstances, situation (broader, less narrative)
- 顛末: full account from start to finish