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世間 (せけん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N3 Freq. Frequency Top 5,000 Meanings 1
noun
society ; the world ; people ; the public
Refers to the social world around us: public opinion, other people, or society at large. Often carries a nuance of 'what others think' or 'the way of the world'.
は
世せ
間けん
の
注ちゅう
目もく
を
集あつ
め
た
。
He attracted public attention.
Kanji 世 generation, world, society Similar words 社しゃ 会かい 社会 is a more formal, structural term for 'society' as a system. 世間 is more about the everyday social world and public opinion.
世よ の 中なか 世の中 is similar but broader, often meaning 'the times' or 'the world we live in'. 世間 focuses more on people and their judgments.
Etymology Compound of 世 (yo, 'world, generation') and 間 (ken, 'space, interval'). The reading せけん is a regular on'yomi combination.
