사고 (sa-go, sago) · 사건 (sa-geon, sageon)
'사고' mainly refers to physical accidents or negative outcomes, while '사건' denotes specific incidents in social or legal contexts.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
An unexpected physical accident or a negative outcome
When to use
Traffic accident, Industrial accident, Physical damage, Everyday negative incidents
The nuance
Use 사고 mainly for physical accidents like traffic accidents or industrial disasters. It is rarely used in emotional or social contexts.
Used for socially, legally, or historically significant incidents
When to use
Criminal case, Social issue, Legal matter, Historically important incident
The nuance
사건 is used for crimes, social issues, historical incidents, and other official or significant matters, distinct from physical accidents.
교통사고로 다쳤어요.
gyo-tong-sa-go-ro da-chyeoss-eo-yo., gyo tong sa go ro da chyeoss eo yo.
사고 is appropriate for physical accidents like traffic accidents.
그 사건 때문에 뉴스가 떠들썩했어요.
geu sa-geon ttae-mun-e nyu-seu-ga tteo-deul-sseok-haess-eo-yo., geu sa geon ttae mun e nyu seu ga tteo deul sseok haess eo yo.
사건 fits social or legal incidents.
산업사건이 발생했다.
san-eop-sa-geon-i bal-saeng-haess-da., san eop sa geon i bal saeng haess da.
For industrial physical accidents, use '산업사고' instead of '산업사건'.
그는 사고를 조사하는 경찰관이다.
geu-neun sa-go-reul jo-sa-ha-neun gyeong-chal-gwan-i-da., geu neun sa go reul jo sa ha neun gyeong chal gwan i da.
사고 is suitable when referring to investigation of physical accidents.
그는 큰 사고를 저질렀다.
geu-neun keun sa-go-reul jeo-jil-reoss-da., geu neun keun sa go reul jeo jil reoss da.
사고 can be used for negative outcomes caused by actions.
그는 큰 사건을 저질렀다.
geu-neun keun sa-geon-eul jeo-jil-reoss-da., geu neun keun sa geon eul jeo jil reoss da.
사건 is not something one 'commits'; it occurs, so this usage is incorrect.
그 사건은 법원에서 다뤄졌다.
geu sa-geon-eun beop-won-e-seo da-rwo-jyeoss-da., geu sa geon eun beop won e seo da rwo jyeoss da.
사건 fits well in legal contexts.
그 사고는 사회적으로 큰 반향을 일으켰다.
geu sa-go-neun sa-hoe-jeok-eu-ro keun ban-hyang-eul il-eu-kyeoss-da., geu sa go neun sa hoe jeok eu ro keun ban hyang eul il eu kyeoss da.
사고 can have social impact but primarily refers to physical accidents.
Which sentence should use '사고'?
Which sentence correctly uses '사건'?
Which is the correct expression: '산업사고' or '산업사건'?
