世 間(せけん)

せけん

noun

world, society, public

1. world, society, the public

The community of people one interacts with; the general public and its opinions.

世間(せけん)は狭(せま)いものだ。

It's a small world.

Common expression when unexpectedly meeting someone

世間(せけん)の目(め)を気(き)にしすぎる。

You worry too much about what others think.

世間(せけん)知(し)らずだと言(い)われた。

I was told I don't know the ways of the world.

世間(せけん) refers to society as experienced personally, emphasizing social perception and opinion.

Common expressions

世間(せけん)は狭(せま)い (It's a small world)
世間(せけん)の目(め) (public eye, what people think)
世間(せけん)体(てい) (keeping up appearances)
世間(せけん)話(ばなし) (small talk, gossip)
世間(せけん)知(し)らず (naïve, ignorant of the world)

Similar words

世間(せけん): society (personal sphere, social judgment)
社会(しゃかい): society (formal, institutional)
世界(せかい): world (global, physical world)

Related Words

Compare: 社会(しゃかい) (society (formal))

Compare: 世界(せかい) (world (broader scope))

Compare: 時事(じじ) (current affairs, current events)

Compare: 世俗(せぞく) (worldly)

general

Added 2026.1.12 10:12 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

03000/03299_seken