懸案

• Reading: けんあん
• Romaji: kenan
• Kanji breakdown: 懸 (ken) — hang, suspend, worry; 案 (an) — plan, matter, proposal
• Pronunciation: /ke.ɴ.a.ɴ/

Meaning

Pending question; unresolved problem. An issue that has been carried over without resolution.

A noun (also used as a no-adjective) referring to matters that remain undecided or unresolved over time. Commonly appears in formal and bureaucratic contexts, such as 懸案事項 (pending matters) and 懸案の問題 (long-standing issue). Often implies that the matter has been a concern for some time and still awaits a decision or solution.

Examples

1. 長年の懸案だった道路の拡張工事がようやく始まった。 The road expansion project that had been a long-standing issue finally got underway.
2. 会議で懸案事項について一つずつ議論した。 We went through the pending matters one by one at the meeting.
3. この問題は部署間の懸案として残っている。 This issue remains a pending concern between departments.

Usage Guide

Context: business, politics, meetings, administration

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 懸 (ken, to hang/suspend) + 案 (an, plan/matter). Literally 'a matter left hanging,' vividly conveying the image of an issue suspended in mid-air, awaiting resolution.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional