matter · item

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 件, read けん, refers to a matter or case and also counts things such as incidents or inquiries.
• Basic usage: 用件, read ようけん, means the purpose or business at hand; 条件, read じょうけん, means a condition or requirement.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Cases and physical objects
  • 問い合わせが一件ある means there is one inquiry; 一件 is read いっけん.
  • Despite the inherited Korean learning gloss “thing,” this is not a general-purpose counter for all physical objects.
• Business at hand and conditions
  • 用件を伝える means to explain one's purpose; 条件を満たす means to meet the required conditions.
  • The similar sounds do not make the matter to discuss and a requirement to satisfy the same thing.