Japanese word

社会

Pronunciation

Romajishakai

Meaning

  • nounsociety

Example

社会にはルールがあります。sha kai ni wa rū ru ga a ri ma su

Society has rules.

Illustration for 社会 (society)

More examples

わたしたちは社会の一員です。wa ta shi ta chi wa sha kai no ichi in de su

We are members of society.

学校で学んだことは、社会で役立ちます。gak kō de mana n da ko to wa sha kai de yaku da chi ma su

What you learn at school is useful in society.

Core concept

Refers to an organized human community whose members share systems, rules, and ways of living.

Common phrases

  • 社会の一員sha kai no ichi in

    a member of society

Similar words

世の中yononaka: The world of people and social life in which a person lives.
世間seken: The people and social world around a person, often viewed through their opinions and customs.

Definition in Japanese

人々が集まり、一定の規則や制度のもとで関係を保ちながら生活するまとまり。hito bito ga atsu ma ri it tei no ki soku ya sei do no mo to de kan kei o tamo chi na ga ra sei katsu su ru ma to ma ri

Word origin

社会 (shakai) combines the Sino-Japanese elements 社 (sha, "community") and 会 (kai, "meeting"), linking the idea of a community with people gathering together.

Usage tips

  • 社会 (shakai) is used for public life as well as for a community, which helps explain why it can match both society and the public in English.

Other meanings

  • communitynoun
  • the publicnoun
  • the worldnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word