用事（ようじ、youji）
- errand/business

The Japanese word 用事 (読み方: ようじ) primarily means "errands," "business," "things to do," or "appointments." It refers to a task, a commitment, or a matter that requires one's attention. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from simple chores to important meetings. The specific meaning of 用事 can vary depending on the context, but it always implies some form of obligation or responsibility. 用事 can also be a plural noun, referring to multiple things to be done.

⚫︎今日はたくさん[用事]があります。 Translation: I have many errands/things to do today. ⚫︎すみません、ちょっと[用事]があって。 Translation: I'm sorry, but I have some business/an errand. ⚫︎[用事]があるので、午後2時には行きます。 Translation: I have something to do/an appointment, so I will go at 2 PM.

⚫︎用事 is a versatile word, suitable for various situations, from casual conversations to more formal settings. ⚫︎It's common to use 用事 when explaining why you can't attend an event, need to leave early, or are generally busy. ⚫︎You can also use it to ask about someone else's schedule or commitments. ⚫︎When you have 用事, you are expected to do something. ⚫︎When 用事 ends, you can say [用事]が終わった。 (The errand is over.) or [用事]を済ませた。 (I have finished my errand.)

⚫︎用事 is written with the kanji 用 (よう - use, business) and 事 (じ - thing, matter). ⚫︎The reading is ようじ (hiragana). ⚫︎There are no other common ways to write this word, nor are there significant variations in okurigana.

⚫︎用件 (ようけん - business, matter, something you need to take care of) - often used for more formal matters. ⚫︎仕事 (しごと - work, job) - may refer to tasks related to one's employment. ⚫︎用向き (ようむき - purpose, business) ⚫︎用務 (ようむ - business, duty) - more formal than 用事, and usually refers to official business.

There aren't direct antonyms for 用事, but words that imply having nothing to do or being free could be considered opposites in context: ⚫︎暇 (ひま - free time, spare time) ⚫︎することがない (suru koto ga nai - to have nothing to do)

今日は、デパートに買い物に行く[用事]があります。 ・Translation: Today, I have an errand to go shopping at the department store. ・Explanation: This sentence explains the speaker's obligation to go shopping.

明日は病院に行く[用事]があります。 ・Translation: Tomorrow, I have an appointment to go to the hospital. ・Explanation: This sentence indicates a medical appointment is the speaker's commitment for the next day.

The kanji 用 means "use" or "purpose," and 事 means "thing" or "matter." Together, 用事 represents "matters to be used" or "things to take care of." The word's origin likely reflects the need to address various activities required in everyday life.