Japanese word

常識

Pronunciation

Romajijōshiki

Meaning

  • nouncommon sense

Example

それは常識です。so re wa jō shiki de su

That is common sense.

Illustration for 常識 (common sense)

More examples

困ったときは、常識で考えてみましょう。koma tta to ki wa jō shiki de kanga e te mi ma shō

When you are in trouble, try to use common sense.

Core concept

常識 (jōshiki) refers to the basic knowledge and judgment that people in a group generally share.

Common phrases

  • 常識があるjō shiki ga a ru

    have common sense

  • 常識に欠けるjō shiki ni ka ke ru

    lack common sense

Similar words

良識ryōshiki: Practical judgment about what is sensible in ordinary situations.
通念tsūnen: A belief or idea commonly accepted by people in a society.
共通認識kyōtsūninshiki: A shared understanding among members of a group.
一般知識ippanchishiki: Basic facts and information that are widely known in a community.

Definition in Japanese

社会や集団の中で多くの人が当然と認めている基礎的な知識や判断。sha kai ya shū dan no naka de ō ku no hito ga tō zen to mito me te i ru ki so teki na chi shiki ya han dan

Word origin

常識 (jōshiki) combines 常 (jō, "usual") and 識 (shiki, "knowledge"), giving the sense of knowledge regarded as ordinary within a community.

Usage tips

  • In English, common sense usually concerns practical judgment, while common knowledge concerns facts that many people know.

Other meanings

  • common knowledgenoun
  • common practicenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word