1.
the way something is; true state; actual condition
The real nature or actual state of something — how things truly are, as opposed to how they appear or how one wishes them to be. Often used in discussions about ideals versus reality, or about how systems, relationships, or societies should function.
Derived from あり (the continuative form of ある, to exist/be) and よう (manner, way). The word asks the fundamental question of how something exists or should exist, making it a staple of editorial writing, policy discussion, and philosophical reflection.
Typically appears in the pattern Xのありよう, where X is a broad concept: 社会のありよう (the nature of society), 政治のありよう (how politics should work), 人間のありよう (the human condition).
Common collocations
- Xのありよう: the way X is; the nature of X
- ありようを問う: to question the way something is
- ありようを考える: to think about how something should be
- ありようが変わる: the nature of something changes
Similar words
- あり方: way of being — very close synonym, but あり方 is more commonly used in everyday speech and often implies "the ideal way" rather than "the actual state"
- 実態: actual conditions, reality — factual and concrete; ありよう is more reflective and philosophical
- 姿: form, figure, state — can overlap when describing a broader picture, but is more visual and concrete