Translation and Meaning of: 経緯 - ikisatsu

If you have ever found yourself trying to explain how a complicated situation unfolded in Japanese, you probably needed the word 経緯 (いきさつ). This term carries fascinating nuances, going beyond the simple "details" or "complete story" — it encapsulates the sequence of events that lead to an outcome, often with a tone of complexity. In this article, we will explore everything from its etymology to practical tips for memorizing this kanji, which frequently appears in everyday conversations and even in journalistic articles.

In addition to the meaning, you will discover how the pictogram reveals the essence of the word and why it is so useful in situations that require a detailed explanation. If you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready to note real examples that will boost your studies!

The Origin and Structure of Kanji 経緯

The kanji 経緯 is a compound of two characters full of history. The first, 経 (けい), comes from the idea of "crossing" or "longitude", associated with threads woven in the vertical direction. Meanwhile, 緯 (い) represents "latitude" or the horizontal threads in a loom. Together, they create a mental image of a weave — literally, the warp and weft of a fabric, but metaphorically, the intertwining of events that form a complex narrative.

Interestingly, this duality between vertical and horizontal also appears in terms like 経線 (けいせん) and 緯線 (いせん), used in geography for meridians and parallels. It is no coincidence that 経緯 carries the feeling of something meticulously constructed, piece by piece, like a map that needs to be unraveled.

Everyday Lies: When and How to Say "Iki satsu"

Imagine that a colleague asks why a project was delayed. Instead of simply saying "there were problems", using いきさつ allows you to highlight the chain of events: "実は、いろんないきさつがあって…" ("Actually, there were several circumstances..."). The word is perfect for contexts where details matter — from bureaucratic explanations to that gossip filled with twists that you want to share dramatically.

Journalists love this term. News about political scandals or police investigations often use 経緯 to describe the "how" and "why" behind the facts. If you read 事件のいきさつ, know that a detailed chronology will follow, almost like a script for a detective movie.

Tips to Never Forget This Kanji

To memorize the writing, think of the threads of a loom: 経 is the thread that "passes" (経る) vertically, while 緯 is the one that "wraps" horizontally. A teacher of mine once joked that it's like remembering a couple — one thread does not exist without the other, and together they weave the complete story. It worked so well that even today I visualize the kanjis as two crossed lines!

Want a practical exercise? Next time you see a discussion on Twitter, try summarizing the events using いきさつ. For example: "The context of that tweet is complicated." Associating the word with real situations helps to reinforce vocabulary much faster than mechanical repetition.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

経緯 (Keii) - The sequence or the process that leads to a certain event or situation.
経路 (Keiro) - Route or path taken to reach a destination.
軌跡 (Kiseki) - Trail or path left by something that moves.
経過 (Keika) - Passage of time or evolution of an event.
履歴 (Rireki) - Historical or record of past events.
歴史 (Rekishi) - Study or record of significant events from the past.
経由 (Keiyu) - Traveling through a place or means to reach a destination.
経行 (Keikou) - Less common term related to the journey taken.
経路図 (Keirozu) - Diagram or map that represents a route or path.
軌道 (Kidou) - Trajectory or path of a celestial body or object in motion.
軌道図 (Kidouzu) - Graphical representation of a path or track.
軌道線 (Kidousen) - Railway tracks or railroad paths.
軌道路線 (Kidourosen) - Railways that follow a specific trajectory.
経路網 (Keiromou) - Network that represents various routes or paths available.
経路マップ (Keiromappu) - Map that shows different routes or paths.
経路案内 (Keiroanai) - Instructions or information about routes and paths.
経路検索 (Keirokensaku) - Search for finding routes or paths.
経路探索 (Keirotansaku) - Investigation or exploration of routes or paths.
経路計画 (Keirokeikaku) - Planning of routes or paths to be followed.
経路設計 (Keirosekkei) - Design or elaboration of routes or paths.
経路選択 (Keirosentaku) - Choice of routes or paths among various options.
経路変更 (Keirohenkou) - Change or modification of a previously chosen route.
経路確認 (Keirokakunin) - Verification or confirmation of a route or path.

Related words

経緯

Romaji: ikisatsu
Kana: いきさつ
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: 1. details; complete history; sequence of events; particularities; how it all began; how things got to this point; 2. complications; position.

Meaning in English: 1. details;whole story;sequence of events;particulars;how it started;how things got this way; 2. complications;position

Definition: The process and connections that lead to a certain event or thing happening.

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