1.
race, tribe, ethnic group
A group of people sharing common ancestry, physical characteristics, or cultural heritage. Also used in fantasy and gaming contexts for fictional races or species.
さまざまな種族が共存している。
Various races coexist together.
このゲームでは五つの種族からキャラクターを選べる。
In this game, you can choose a character from five races.
異なる種族の人々が互いの文化を尊重し合うことが大切だ。
It is important for people of different ethnic groups to respect each other's cultures.
USAGE:
In modern Japanese, 種族 is commonly used in fantasy literature, games, and anime for fictional races (elves, dwarves, etc.). In academic or anthropological contexts, 民族 is generally preferred for real-world ethnic groups, though 種族 still appears.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 民族: ethnic group, nation (more commonly used for real-world groups)
- 人種: race (biological/physical classification)
- 部族: tribe (a more specific social unit)