JLPT N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “予定” and “用事”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “予定” and “用事“
2. 予定
3. 用事
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: Do “予定” and “用事” have the same meaning?
A: Both of these words mean “a plan to do something,” but their meanings and the situations in which they are used differ slightly.
予定 (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
To decide in advance about actions or events. It also refers to the decided plans.
The kanji “予” means “beforehand” or “in advance,” and “定” means “to determine” or “to decide.”
“予定” primarily refers to plans made in advance for the future. “予定” often involves specific dates, times, and locations and can be used for personal plans as well as commitments with others.
[Examples]
明日は朝から出かける予定です。
I plan to go out tomorrow morning.
来週の会議は新宿支社で行われる予定です。
Next week’s meeting is scheduled to be held at the Shinjuku branch.
明日はゆみちゃんと映画を見に行く予定です。
I plan to go see a movie with Yumi tomorrow.
“予定” is often used with verbs such as “する” (to do), “している” (doing), “入れる” (to put in), “立てる” (to establish), and “組む” (to put together).
Let’s look at the meanings of each:
予定を入れる：To make or register a plan/schedule.
予定を立てる：To plan and decide on events or actions in advance.
予定を組む：To create a schedule, deciding what to do and when.
[Examples]
飛行機は予定した時間に到着しませんでした。
The plane did not arrive at the scheduled time.
明日の会議は10時を予定しています。
Tomorrow’s meeting is scheduled for 10 o’clock.
予定をいっぱい入れてしまいました。
I have filled my schedule with plans.
会議の予定を立てて社員にメールを送りました。
I made a schedule for the meeting and sent an email to the employees.
予定を組んでから、もう一度話し合いましょう。
Let’s discuss this again after we make the schedule.
用事 (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
Things that must be done.
Mainly, it refers to necessary tasks or things that must be done.
It can be used broadly for work-related matters as well as personal matters in daily life. Rather than being pre-planned, it refers to tasks that the speaker feels must be done, and often, the details are not elaborated upon.
[Examples]
用事があるのでお先に失礼します。
I have something to attend to, so please excuse me for leaving early.
山田さんは用事があるそうで、昼まで帰って来ません。
It seems that Mr. Yamada has some errands to run, so he won’t be back until noon.
明日は用事を終わらせてから、遊びに行こう。
Let’s go out and have fun after finishing our errands tomorrow.
“用事” is often used together with verbs such as “する” (to do), “終わらせる” (to finish), and “済ます” (to complete).
[Examples]
子供「お母さん、こっち来て。」
母 「今、用事してるから後でね。」
Child: “Mom, come here!”
Mother: “I’m busy right now, so later, okay?”
用事を終わらせてから食事に行きましょう。
Let’s go for a meal after finishing our errands.
さっさと用事を済ませて家に帰ろう。
Let’s quickly finish our errands and head home.
Let’s Compare
If you are explaining a pre-determined plan, it is natural to use “予定“.
[Example]
明日は渋谷で友達と昼ご飯を食べる予定です。
Tomorrow, I plan to have lunch with a friend in Shibuya.
On the other hand, with “用事“, you do not need to mention detailed plans.
[Example]
明日は渋谷で用事があります。
Tomorrow, I have some errands to run in Shibuya.
Additionally, “用事” can be used when you do not want to explain the plan or when it is difficult to explain.
[Examples]
すみませんが、今日は用事があるので早退してもいいですか。
Excuse me, but may I leave early today because I have some errands to run?
A「今日の朝、電話したんだけど出なかったね。」
B「ごめん、ちょっと用事してた。」
A: “I called you this morning, but you didn’t answer.”
B: “Sorry, I was busy with something.”
Summary
予定
- Refers to something planned in advance for the future.
- It is used when specific dates and locations are decided.
用事
- Refers to necessary tasks or things that need to be done from the speaker’s perspective.
- It is used broadly for personal matters in work and daily life.
- Detailed plans do not need to be stated, and it is used when one does not want to explain or finds it difficult to explain the plan.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 予定
明日はゆみちゃんと海に行く予定なんだ。楽しみだな。
I’m planning to go to the beach with Yumi tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.
*Since a detailed plan is mentioned, “予定” is the correct choice.
A. 用事
用事を済ませたら買い物に行こう。
Let’s go shopping after we’ve finished our errands.
*Because the verb “済む” (to finish) is used, “用事” is the correct choice.
A. 予定
次の会議の予定は立てましたか。
Have you scheduled the next meeting?
*Because the verb “立てる” (to establish) is used, “予定” is the correct choice.
A. 用事
用事が終わったら連絡しますね。
I’ll contact you once I’ve finished my errands.
*Because the verb “終わる” (to finish) is used, “用事” is the correct choice.
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