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こと versus 事 usage

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Knocks
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Joined: July 8th, 2007 5:27 pm

こと versus 事 usage

Postby Knocks » February 4th, 2010 8:11 am

I think I have noticed that こと is the prevalent way of writing, but please discuss. :)

Jessi
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Joined: November 25th, 2007 9:58 am

Postby Jessi » February 5th, 2010 1:04 am

This is a question that even native speakers ask about:
http://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa ... 1013194790

The basic rule they give is that if こと is being used a common noun (普通名詞), use 事. If it's been used as a "dummy noun" (形式名詞), use こと. Having said that though, a lot of people these days will use こと even for common nouns.

So first, common nouns:
The word 事 has the meanings of 事件 (event) and 出来事 (happening) in it,so if you're using "koto" to describe a concrete matter, it can be written in kanji. One difference between this 事 and the こと described below is that this 事 can be the subject of a sentence (事が起こる).

Dummy nouns:
If you're using "koto" to describe not so much an event/matter but a more abstract "thing" (the こと in phrases such as そんなことはない、思ったこと、etc.), then koto should be in hiragana.

As you can see, it's a bit complicated (even native speakers are asking the same question..) but I hope that makes some sense :)
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Knocks
Been Around a Bit
Posts: 30
Joined: July 8th, 2007 5:27 pm

Postby Knocks » February 5th, 2010 3:52 am

Thanks! So are the following examples correct?

彼は彼女のことがだい好き。
アメリカへ行ったことがありません。

but

明日の会議は今週の一番大切なです。

Jessi
JapanesePod101.com Team Member
Posts: 822
Joined: November 25th, 2007 9:58 am

Postby Jessi » February 8th, 2010 1:34 am

Yes! Your examples look good to me :)
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