Translation guide
The quality of being experienced in the ways of the world, often implying sophistication, practicality, or a lack of innocence. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various terms that emphasize different nuances such as worldly wisdom, sophistication, or being street-smart.
Describing a person who has practical knowledge of life, society, and human nature, often gained through experience.
Refers to worldly wisdom and knowledge of the ways of the world. Often used in the phrase 世故に長ける (to be well-versed in the ways of the world).
He is worldly-wise.
Knowledge of the world or society; common sense about how the world works. Implies practical understanding of social norms.
Lacking in worldly knowledge.
Literally 'knows the world', a common phrase meaning someone is experienced and not naive.
She's young but knows the ways of the world.
Emphasizing refinement, elegance, and familiarity with high society or cosmopolitan culture.
Sophistication, refinement, polish. Often used for taste, manners, or style. Can describe a person or thing.
There is a worldliness in the way he speaks.
Urban, cosmopolitan, sophisticated in a city way. Often used to describe a person's style or atmosphere.
Chic, stylish, tasteful; a traditional aesthetic concept implying refined worldliness and an understanding of subtle pleasures. Often used in Edo-period contexts.
Focusing on shrewdness, resourcefulness, and the ability to handle real-life situations, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation of cunning.
Skillful at navigating life; knowing how to get along in the world. Can imply a certain shrewdness or social intelligence.
He's worldly-wise and knows how to get ahead.
Cunning, sly, crafty. A more negative take on worldliness, implying someone uses their knowledge for selfish gain.
Shrewd, tough, resilient. Describes someone who is worldly in a pragmatic, sometimes ruthless way.
The negative aspect of worldliness, implying a loss of innocence, cynicism, or being too experienced in the seamier side of life.
To become worldly-wise in a negative sense; to lose one's innocence or become jaded through experience. Often used as 擦れた (sureta) meaning 'jaded' or 'world-weary'.
He has become completely worldly and jaded.
To become accustomed to the ways of the world; can be neutral or slightly negative, implying a loss of freshness.
世故 (seko) emphasizes practical knowledge of human affairs and society, often with a hint of shrewdness. 洗練 (senren) focuses on refinement and sophistication, more about taste and elegance than street-smarts.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches all nuances of 'worldliness'. Translating it directly as 世俗性 (sezokusei) is possible but sounds academic and is rarely used in everyday speech. Choose a term based on the specific nuance you want to convey.
彼女は都会的な雰囲気を持っている。
She has a worldly, sophisticated air.
He dresses with a worldly flair.
He succeeded through worldly cunning.
彼女はしたたかな交渉術を持っている。
She has a worldly, tough negotiating style.
都会に出て世慣れた。
He went to the city and became worldly-wise.