Translation guide
The quality of being detached from worldly concerns, material pursuits, or practical affairs. Can be positive (spiritual purity, innocence) or negative (naivety, impracticality).
Describing a person or attitude that is focused on spiritual or idealistic matters rather than material or worldly concerns.
Literally 'transcending the vulgar world'. Refers to a state of being above worldly matters, often with a spiritual or artistic connotation.
彼の超俗的な生き方に憧れる。
I admire his unworldly way of living.
Escaping from worldly affairs. Often used in contexts of seeking a simple, spiritual life free from societal pressures.
脱俗の境地に達する。
To reach a state of unworldliness.
To leave the mundane world behind. A phrase describing the act of detaching from everyday society.
彼は俗世間を離れて山にこもった。
He left the worldly life behind and secluded himself in the mountains.
Describing a lack of experience or sophistication regarding the harsh realities of life, often due to being sheltered or pure-hearted.
Literally 'not knowing the world'. Describes someone naive or ignorant of how society works. Can be negative or endearing.
彼女は世間知らずだから、だまされやすい。
She is unworldly, so she is easily deceived.
Pure and innocent. Emphasizes a lack of corruption or malice, often seen as a positive trait.
Innocent, naive, especially in a charming or youthful way. Often used for someone inexperienced in love or worldly matters.
彼女はうぶで、冗談が通じない。
She is so unworldly that she doesn't get jokes.
Describing ideas, plans, or people that are not grounded in practical reality.
Unrealistic, impractical. Directly conveys that something is not based on real-world considerations.
彼の提案は非現実的だ。
His proposal is unworldly (impractical).
Idealistic, conceptual, not practical. Often used for thinking that is detached from reality.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'unworldliness'. The translation depends heavily on whether you mean spiritual detachment, naivety, or impracticality. Using a direct dictionary equivalent like 超俗 for a naive person would sound odd.
彼の純真な性格が周囲を和ませる。
His unworldly personality puts everyone at ease.
The discussion is too unworldly; no concrete ideas are coming out.