俗ぞく

noun

layperson; laity; worldly person

Primarily a Buddhist term contrasting ordinary people with monks or clergy. Also used more broadly for someone without specialized knowledge in a field.

• 僧そう侶りょと俗ぞくの生せい活かつは大おおきく異ことなる。

  The lives of monks and laypeople are very different.

• この分ぶん野やでは、私わたしはまったくの俗ぞくです。

  In this field, I am a complete layperson.

noun

worldly customs; common practices

Refers to the manners, fashions, or ways of ordinary society, often with a nuance of being unrefined or not elevated.

• 都と会かいの俗ぞくに染そまらず、田舎いなかで静しずかに暮くらしたい。

  I want to live quietly in the countryside without being influenced by city ways.

na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

common; popular; everyday

Describes something widespread among ordinary people, often without negative connotation. Used in compounds like 俗に言う (commonly called).

• この花はなは俗ぞくに「金きん魚ぎょ草そう」と呼よばれている。

  This flower is commonly called 'snapdragon'.

• それは俗ぞくな考かんがえ方かただ。

  That's a common way of thinking.

na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

vulgar; lowbrow; unrefined

Carries a negative judgment of being coarse, tasteless, or lacking elegance. Antonym of 雅 (が, elegance).

Antonyms: 雅 (が)

• 彼かれの趣しゅ味みは俗ぞくだと言いわれている。

  His taste is said to be vulgar.

• あの看かん板ばんは俗ぞくっぽいデザインだね。

  That sign has a tacky design, doesn't it?