Nuance & Usage
経験 refers to knowledge or skill gained through direct involvement. 経験する (keiken suru — to experience), 経験を積む (keiken wo tsumu — to accumulate experience), 経験者 (keikensha — experienced person), 経験豊富 (keiken houfu — rich in experience) are common expressions. In job contexts, 経験不問 (keiken fumon — no experience required) and 実務経験 (jitsumu keiken — practical experience) appear in job listings. Unlike 体験 (taiken — a one-time, hands-on experience like a trial class), 経験 emphasizes accumulated knowledge over time.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 経験 with 体験 (taiken). 経験 is broader and implies accumulated wisdom from repeated or long-term involvement; 体験 is a single, specific hands-on experience (e.g., 体験レッスン — trial lesson, 異文化体験 — cross-cultural experience). You can say いい経験になった (it was a good experience — something you learned from), but 体験する is better for one-off activities like 陶芸を体験する (try pottery). Both take する to become verbs.
Example Sentences (3)
海外で働いた経験が、今の仕事にとても役立っています。
かいがいではたらいたけいけんが、いまのしごとにとてもやくだっています。
My experience working abroad is very useful in my current job.
失敗も大切な経験だと思います。
しっぱいもたいせつなけいけんだとおもいます。
I think failure is also a valuable experience.
日本に住んだ経験はありますか？
にほんにすんだけいけんはありますか？
Do you have experience living in Japan?
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N34 questionsTest your knowledge of 経験 with 4 different question types.
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