Meaning

Primary

To Occur

Alternatives

To Arise, To Cause Something

Word Type

intransitive verb, transitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

Remember how 生まれる means "to be born"? This word is similar, but it's used for when non-living things are "born". So as an intransitive verb, this means to occur or to arise. When used transitively, it means to cause something. You'll probably encounter the intransitive use much more, though.

Reading

しょうじる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

You'd think this would use kun'yomi, but it actually doesn't! Like other verbs ending in じる, this takes the on'yomi reading of the kanji. has two of those, so here's a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:

If you wanted anything to occur in medieval Japan, you needed to talk to the Shougun. You always needed the Shougun's help to cause something. Without the Shougun, nothing would ever happen!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 危険を生じる

    to cause dangers

    変化を生じる

    to result in changes

    問題を生じる

    to cause problems

Context Sentences

コミュニケーションが上手くできていないと、トラブルが生じるかもしれません。

If communication isn't done well, some issues might arise.

そこから多くの問題が生じました。

From there, many problems emerged.

システムのアップデートにより一時的にシステムを止める必要が生じます。

Due to system updates, it will be necessary to temporarily halt the system.

Kanji Composition