Japanese word

自然

Pronunciation

Romajishizen

Meaning

  • nounnature

Example

私は自然が好きです。watashi wa shi zen ga su ki de su

I like nature.

Illustration for 自然 (nature)

More examples

公園で自然を楽しみます。kō en de shi zen o tano shi mi ma su

I enjoy nature at the park.

週末は自然の中を歩いて、気分転換します。shū matsu wa shi zen no naka o aru i te ki bun ten kan shi ma su

I walk in nature on weekends to refresh myself.

Core concept

Describes the world of living things and physical features that arise and exist independently of human design.

Common phrases

  • 自然が好きshi zen ga su ki

    like nature

  • 自然の中shi zen no naka

    in nature

  • 自然を守るshi zen o mamo ru

    protect nature

Similar words

自然界shizenkai: The complete realm of living things and physical features that exist without human design.
大自然daishizen: The broad natural world, especially its large open landscapes and living systems.

Definition in Japanese

人間が作り出したものでない、動植物や山・川などから成る世界。nin gen ga tsuku ri da shi ta mo no de na i dō shoku butsu ya yama kawa na do ka ra na ru se kai

Word origin

自然 (shizen) combines 自 (ji, "self") with 然 (zen, "so"), forming the idea of what is so by itself and developing into the meaning of nature.

Usage tips

  • The same Japanese word 自然 (shizen) appears in expressions for natural behavior or speech, linking the natural world with the sense of being unforced.

Opposites

Word lists with this word