1.
society, community
The aggregate of people living together in a community.
社会のルールを守る。
I follow society's rules.
社会人として働いている。
I'm working as a member of society.
大学を出て社会に出ると、色々なことを学ぶ。
When you leave university and enter society, you learn many things.
2.
social studies
A school subject covering history, geography, and civics.
社会のテストは難しかった。
The social studies test was difficult.
社会の授業で歴史を習った。
I learned history in social studies class.
中学校の社会では地理と公民も勉強する。
In middle school social studies, we also study geography and civics.
社会 means society and also refers to the school subject social studies.
TWO MEANINGS:
1. Society: 現代社会 (modern society)
2. Social studies: 社会のテスト (social studies test)
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 社会人: working adult, member of society
- 社会的: social
- 社会科: social studies (as a subject)
- 社会{問題|しゃかいもんだい}: social issue
- 社会{保険|しゃかいほけん}: social insurance
- 社会{福祉|しゃかいふくし}: social welfare
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 社会に出る: to enter the workforce
- 社会のルール: society's rules
- 社会貢献: contribution to society
NOTE:
社会人 specifically refers to working adults as distinct from students.