世俗(せぞく)

せぞく
noun, no-adjective
worldly; secular; mundane
formalsocietyreligion
1. worldly; secular; mundane
Concerned with ordinary everyday life rather than religion or higher ideals.
世俗(せぞく)的(てき)な価値観(かちかん)にとらわれない。
Not bound by worldly values.
世俗(せぞく)と宗教(しゅうきょう)の分離(ぶんり)は重要(じゅうよう)だ。
The separation of secular and religious matters is important.
彼(かれ)は世俗(せぞく)の欲望(よくぼう)を捨(す)てて出家(しゅっけ)した。
He abandoned worldly desires and entered the priesthood.
2. the world; society; common customs
Ordinary society and its customs and values.
世俗(せぞく)から離(はな)れた生活(せいかつ)をしている。
They live a life removed from the world.
世俗(せぞく)の目(め)を気(き)にする。
To be concerned about what the world thinks.
山奥(やまおく)の寺(てら)で世俗(せぞく)を忘(わす)れ、静(しず)かな時間(じかん)を過(す)ごした。
At the temple deep in the mountains, I forgot about the world and spent a quiet time.

Composed of 世(せ) (world) and 俗(ぞく) (customs/common). Can function both as a noun meaning 'the secular world' and as a modifier (with 的(てき) or の) meaning 'worldly/secular'. Often contrasted with religious or spiritual life, particularly in Buddhist contexts where it represents the ordinary world that monks leave behind.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 俗世(ぞくせ): the secular world — same meaning, reversed character order
  • 現世(げんせ): this world, the present life — Buddhist term contrasting with the afterlife
  • 世間(せけん): the world, society — everyday term for public opinion and social norms

Related Words

Compare: 現世(げんせ) (this world, the present life)
Compare: 世間(せけん) (the world, society)
general
Added 2026.4.19 23:17 · Revised 2026.10.2 22:37
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