世間知(せけんし)らず

せけんしらず
noun, na-adjective
naive; unworldly; inexperienced in the ways of the world
personality
1. naive; unworldly; inexperienced in the ways of the world
A person who lacks knowledge of social norms, common sense, or how society works, often due to a sheltered upbringing.
あの人(ひと)は世間知(せけんし)らずだ。
That person is naive about the ways of the world.
世間知(せけんし)らずと言(い)われても仕方(しかた)がない。
It can't be helped if people call you naive.
若(わか)いころは世間知(せけんし)らずで、いろいろ失敗(しっぱい)した。
When I was young, I was naive about the world and made many mistakes.

Combines 世間(せけん) (the world, society) with 知(し)らず (not knowing). Functions both as a noun describing such a person and as a na-adjective-like descriptor. Carries a mildly critical tone, implying someone is out of touch with reality or social expectations.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 箱入(はこい)り娘(むすめ): sheltered daughter — specifically refers to a young woman raised in a protective environment, while 世間知(せけんし)らず applies to anyone regardless of gender
  • 青二才(あおにさい): greenhorn — implies youthful inexperience with a more dismissive tone, while 世間知(せけんし)らず focuses on lack of social awareness

Related Words

Compare: 青二才(あおにさい) (greenhorn)
Compare: 苦労知(くろうし)らず (carefree)
Compare: 箱入(はこい)り (boxed)
Compare: お人好(ひとよ)し (good-natured person)
Compare: 浮世(うきよ)離(ばな)れ (being unworldly)
Compare: ナイーブ (overly sensitive)
Related: 箱入(はこい)り娘(むすめ) (sheltered daughter)
general
Added 2026.4.7 9:51 · Revised 2026.10.2 10:57
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