Refers broadly to human civilization, including its material, social, and cultural aspects. Often used in historical, sociological, and everyday contexts.
My hobby is visiting ruins of ancient civilizations.
文明の発展は環境に大きな影響を与えてきた。
The development of civilization has had a major impact on the environment.
Bunmei era (1469–1487)
Historical Japanese era name. Used in historical texts and discussions of the Muromachi period.
文明年間に応仁の乱が終結した。
The Ōnin War ended during the Bunmei era.
Civilization had developed in this region since ancient times.
They built a great civilization along the riverbanks.
It is said that the civilization was destroyed by a natural disaster.
Egyptian civilization has an extremely long history.
未開 describes a people or society seen as lacking civilization, whereas 文明 refers to civilization itself, the opposite condition.
civilized person; civilized people
history of civilization