世 論(せろん)

せろん

noun

public opinion

politics society

See also: 世論(よろん) (alternate reading)

1. public opinion

The collective views and attitudes of the general public on a particular issue.

世論(せろん)調査(ちょうさ)を行(おこな)う。

To conduct a public opinion poll.

世論(せろん)が政策(せいさく)に影響(えいきょう)を与(あた)える。

Public opinion influences policy.

世論(せろん)を味方(みかた)につける。

To win public opinion to one's side.

テレビの報道(ほうどう)が世論(せろん)に大(おお)きな影響(えいきょう)を与(あた)えている。

Television reporting has a large influence on public opinion.

新(あたら)しい法律(ほうりつ)に対(たい)する世論(せろん)は賛成(さんせい)と反対(はんたい)に大(おお)きく分(わ)かれており、政府(せいふ)は慎重(しんちょう)に対応(たいおう)する必要(ひつよう)がある。

Public opinion on the new law is deeply divided between support and opposition, and the government needs to respond carefully.

Pronunciation

Both せろん and よろん are accepted readings; よろん is the more common one today and the one broadcasters prefer. Historically, よろん was written 輿論(よろん) (reasoned public opinion) and せろん世論(せろん) (popular sentiment). After the postwar kanji reform dropped 輿(よ), both were written 世論(せろん), and the distinction has largely been lost.

Common collocations

世論(せろん)調査(ちょうさ): public opinion poll
世論(せろん)を喚起(かんき)する: to arouse public opinion
世論(せろん)の支持(しじ): public support
世論(せろん)が高(たか)まる: public opinion grows stronger
世論(せろん)を動(うご)かす: to sway public opinion

Usage

A word of news, politics, and social debate; opinion polls are reported regularly by the media.

core

Added 2026.1.16 14:20 · Revised 2026.10.18 9:25

05000/05315_seron