Japanese word

文化

Pronunciation

Romajibunka

Meaning

  • nounculture

Example

日本の文化が好きです。nihon no bun ka ga su ki de su

I like Japanese culture.

Illustration for 文化 (culture)

More examples

この町では、文化の違いを尊重することが大切です。ko no machi de wa bun ka no chiga i o son chō su ru ko to ga tai setsu de su

In this town, it is important to respect cultural differences.

Core concept

Refers to the shared values, customs, knowledge, and creative practices through which a community expresses its way of life.

Common phrases

  • 日本の文化nihon no bun ka

    Japanese culture

  • 文化の違いbun ka no chiga i

    cultural differences

  • 文化を学ぶbun ka o mana bu

    learn about culture

Similar words

伝統dentō: Shared practices, beliefs, and forms of expression passed down in a community.
習慣shūkan: A regular behavior that a person or group follows.

Definition in Japanese

ある社会や集団の人々が共有し、長く受け継いでいる生活や価値観、習慣、芸術など。a ru sha kai ya shū dan no hito bito ga kyō yū shi naga ku u ke tsu i de i ru sei katsu ya ka chi kan shū kan gei jutsu na do

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 文化 (bunka) is based on the Chinese compound 文化, read wénhuà, with 文 (bun, "pattern; writing") and 化 (ka, "transformation").

Usage tips

  • English speakers use culture for the shared way of life of a group, while one country can contain many regional and family cultures.

Opposites

  • 野蛮yabanbarbarismnoun

Related words

  • 文化的bunkatekiculturalna-adjective

Word lists with this word