事故

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 事故 (じこ) combines event 事 and mishap 故 to denote an accident.
• Basic usage: It applies to a collision at an intersection and to incidents prevented through safety inspection.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An unintended harmful event
  • 事故 carries an element of mishap or danger and does not refer neutrally to every event that occurs.