circumstance

From Latin circumstantia, meaning 'standing around'.

NOUN (1)
[/ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/en-US]
状況 literal / 条件 neutral / 事情 neutral / 状況による contextual / 環境 neutral / コンディション loanword / 概念文 untranslatable (The concept of 'circumstance' in English encompasses various nuances that don't directly translate into a single Japanese word.)
Synonyms situation informal , condition neutral , factor neutral
Antonyms independence

A condition, fact, or event connected with or having an effect on another event, situation, or person. It often refers to a state of affairs or a particular situation. The English word circumstance can convey a range of meanings, from external conditions influencing an event to the specific facts or details surrounding a particular case, making it a broader concept than some direct Japanese equivalents might suggest.

plural
circumstances
  • Under no circumstance should you open that package. — This emphasizes a strict prohibition regardless of the situation.
  • The police investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident. — This refers to the facts and details of a particular event.
  • She was forced to leave due to unforeseen circumstances. — This implies a set of conditions that were unexpected and beyond her control.
  • His decision was influenced by the economic circumstances of the time. — This refers to the broader conditions affecting a situation.