1.
worldly wisdom; social savvy
knowledge and shrewdness gained through experience in social dealings and worldly affairs
彼は世故に長けている。
He is well versed in the ways of the world.
世故に通じた人は交渉がうまい。
People who are worldly-wise are good at negotiations.
若いのに世故に長けた彼女の立ち振る舞いに、周囲の大人たちは感心した。
The adults around her were impressed by her worldly-wise conduct despite her young age.
A literary term for the practical wisdom one gains through social experience and navigating worldly affairs. Often appears in the set phrase 世故に長ける (to be experienced in worldly matters). Can carry a slightly negative nuance, suggesting someone is too calculating or shrewd.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 世故に長ける: to be worldly-wise, to be socially experienced
- 世故に通じる: to be well versed in the ways of the world
- 世故に疎い: to be naive about worldly affairs
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 世渡り: getting along in the world — more practical, everyday term for navigating life
- 処世: conduct in life — formal term for how one handles life's affairs
- 老獪: cunning/wily — implies shrewd experience with a negative connotation