Japanese word

素朴

Pronunciation

Romajisoboku

Meaning

  • na-adjectivesimple

Example

彼の考えは素朴です。kare no kanga e wa so boku de su

His idea is simple.

Illustration for 素朴 (simple)

More examples

この村には素朴な暮らしが残っています。ko no mura ni wa so boku na ku ra shi ga noko tte i ma su

A simple way of life remains in this village.

Core concept

Presents a person, thought, or manner as direct and unadorned, without the refinement that comes from experience or display.

Common phrases

  • 素朴な疑問so boku na gi mon

    a simple question

  • 素朴な味so boku na aji

    a simple flavor

  • 素朴な人柄so boku na hito gara

    a simple personality

Similar words

純朴junboku: Describes a person or character that is sincere, uncomplicated, and free from worldly sophistication.
質素shisso: Describes a lifestyle or appearance that is plain and restrained, with little luxury or decoration.
単純tanjun: Describes a thought, structure, or situation that has few parts or little complexity.

Definition in Japanese

複雑な知識や技巧に頼らず、率直で自然なさま。fuku zatsu na chi shiki ya gi kō ni tayo ra zu sot choku de shi zen na sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 素朴 (soboku) joins 素 (so, "plain") with 朴 (boku, "unadorned") to describe a plain and unaffected quality.

Usage tips

  • When describing a person, 素朴 (soboku) is often gentler than naive in English and can suggest an unpretentious manner rather than gullibility.

Other meanings

  • naivena-adjective
  • unsophisticatedna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 素朴さsobokusasimplicitynoun

Word lists with this word