The difference between "状況" and "状態" (1)

In many cases, “状況” and “状態” are interchangeable. Some examples are listed below.

大雪で交通が遮断されたため、その町は生活物資が枯渇した状態/状況です。
Traffic was blocked by a heavy snow, then daily commodities ran out in the town.

患者の状態/状況を教えてください。
Please tell me the current state of the patient.

あなたはすぐに帰国できる状態/状況ですか？
In your current situation, can you return to your country immediately?

現在は雨が降っている状態/状況です
It is raining now.


However, the meanings of these two words are not identical.

See the chart below. This chart shows an image describing of the meaning of “状態”

The horizontal arrow at the bottom shows time. The vertical arrow at the left shows the value of an object (blue dot).
As time goes by, an object (blue dot) moves along with the red line, from A through B, C, D to E.
The meaning of “状態” is the object’s value of each moment.
“状態” just describes a momentary value of the object at a specific time. It indicates a lack of changing in direction.

On the other hand, the image of “状況” can be shown as is it below.

The object’s movement is exactly same as the previous chart.
However, the word “状況” is used to describe a changing direction.

Suppose that the above chart shows water level of a dam.
At first, the water level decreases from A to B, C. Later it increases from C to D,E.
At the moment of point B, we can describe the situation in Japanese using “状況” and “状態” as follows. (Assume that the water level of B is 20%)

(At the moment of point B)
水位は20%まで下がった状態です。
The water level went down to 20%.
水位は20%を切りつつある状況です。
The water level has been going down under 20% now.

(At the moment of point D)
水位は40%まで上がった状態です。
The water level went up to 40%.
水位は40%を超えつつある状況です。
The water level has been going up to over 40% now.

Even if we interchange the words “状況” and “状態” on the cases shown above, it sounds not so unnatural.  But the expressions listed above are more natural.


....to be continued.