世間体(せけんてい)

せけんてい
noun
appearances, reputation in society
1. appearances, reputation in society, what others think
How one appears to society or the general public; concern for social reputation and what neighbors or acquaintances might think.
世間体(せけんてい)を気(き)にする
to care about appearances/what others think
世間体(せけんてい)が悪(わる)い。
It doesn't look good (to others)./It's embarrassing.
世間体(せけんてい)ばかり気(き)にして、自分(じぶん)の気持(きも)ちを無視(むし)するのは良(よ)くない。
It's not good to only care about appearances and ignore your own feelings.

USAGE: Often used with 気(き)にする (to care about) or adjectives like 良(よ)い/悪(わる)い (good/bad).

NUANCE: 世間体(せけんてい) reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on social harmony and reputation. It can have negative connotations when someone is criticized for being overly concerned with appearances rather than substance.

CULTURAL NOTE: This concept is particularly important in traditional Japanese society, where maintaining a good reputation within one's community (世間(せけん)) is highly valued.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 世間体(せけんてい)を気(き)にする (to care about appearances)
  • 世間体(せけんてい)が良(よ)い/悪(わる)い (looks good/bad to society)
  • 世間体(せけんてい)を保(たも)つ (to maintain appearances)
  • 世間体(せけんてい)のために (for the sake of appearances)

RELATED WORDS:

  • 体裁(ていさい) (appearance, keeping up appearances)
  • 面目(めんぼく) (face, honor)
  • 世間(せけん) (society, the world)
  • 見栄(みえ) (vanity, showing off)
general
Added 2026.1.31 20:30
09000/09157_sekentei