ケース

• Reading: ケース
• Romaji: keesu
• Pronunciation: /keː.sɯ/

Meaning

Case. A container, instance, or situation.

A loanword from English 'case' with multiple meanings in Japanese: a physical container (スマホケース, phone case), a particular instance or situation (このケースでは, in this case), and a legal/medical case. Extremely versatile and common in both casual and professional contexts.

Examples

1. スマホケースを新しいのに変えた。 I switched to a new phone case.
2. このケースでは例外が認められる。 In this case, an exception is permitted.
3. ケースバイケースで対応するしかない。 We have no choice but to handle it on a case-by-case basis.

Usage Guide

Context: business, daily life, technology

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'case,' which has Latin roots in 'capsa' (box) and 'casus' (fall, event). Both container and situation meanings carried over into Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Postwar

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal