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)COMPARISON: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 Contrast: 社会(しゃかい) (society (formal)) Contrast: 世界(せかい) (world (broader scope)) general Added 2026.1.12 10:12 · Revised 2026.5.25 6:08 03000/03299_seken