1.
the circumstances; the details of what happened; how things came about
Refers to the full sequence of events or circumstances surrounding a situation. Used when explaining or asking for the background of how something unfolded.
事の次第を説明する。
To explain the circumstances.
事の次第を聞いて、ようやく事情が分かった。
After hearing the details of what happened, I finally understood the situation.
上司に事の次第を報告しなければならない。
I must report the full circumstances to my boss.
USAGE:
事 means "matter" or "affair," and 次第 here means "order" or "sequence of events." Together they refer to the full story of how something came to be. Often used in formal explanations or reports about incidents.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 事の次第を説明する (to explain the circumstances)
- 事の次第を報告する (to report the circumstances)
- 事の次第を聞く (to hear the full story)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 経緯: the background, the history — similar but more formal, emphasizes the process over time
- 事情: circumstances, reasons — focuses on the underlying reasons rather than the sequence of events
- 顛末: the whole story from start to finish — more formal, emphasizes the conclusion