世俗(せぞく)

せぞく
noun, no-adjective
worldly; secular; mundane
formalsocietyreligion
1. worldly; secular; mundane
worldly; secular; mundane
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
the world; society; common customs
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 2026.9.2 13:02
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