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).
彼は世故に長けている。
He is worldly-wise.
Knowledge of the world or society; common sense about how the world works. Implies practical understanding of social norms.
世間知が足りない。
Lacking in worldly knowledge.
Literally 'knows the world', a common phrase meaning someone is experienced and not naive.
彼女は若いけど、世の中を知っている。
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.
彼の話し方には洗練がある。
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.
彼は粋な着こなしをしている。
He dresses with a worldly flair.
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.
彼は世渡り上手だ。
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.
彼はずる賢いやり方で成功した。
He succeeded through worldly cunning.
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'.
彼はすっかり擦れてしまった。
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.
彼女はしたたかな交渉術を持っている。
She has a worldly, tough negotiating style.
He went to the city and became worldly-wise.