事故

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 交差点で事故がありました。▶ —
   There was an accident at the intersection.
2. 事故で電車が遅れています。▶ —
   The train is delayed because of an accident.

Collocations

Mnemonic

事故 jiko — 事 (matter, event) + 故 (cause, the bygone). 故 originally meant "reason" or "the past"; here the compound is an unintended, harmful event. Note 事故にあう (to have an accident) takes に, not を. It links to 原因, as in 事故の原因 (the cause of the accident).

Quick check

1. Which correctly says "to have an accident"?

   • 事故にあう (particle に)
   • 事故をあう
   • 事故があう
   • 事故であう