相対性(そうたいせい)

そうたいせい
noun
relativity
academicscience
1. relativity; relative nature
The quality of being relative rather than absolute — that is, existing or having value only in relation to something else. Used both as a general philosophical concept and as a physics term referring to Einstein's theory of relativity.
価値観(かちかん)の相対性(そうたいせい)を認(みと)めることが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's important to recognize the relativity of values.
アインシュタインの相対性(そうたいせい)理論(りろん)は物理学(ぶつりがく)を大(おお)きく変(か)えた。
Einstein's theory of relativity greatly changed physics.
文化(ぶんか)の相対性(そうたいせい)を理解(りかい)しなければ、異(こと)なる価値観(かちかん)を受(う)け入(い)れることは難(むずか)しい。
Without understanding cultural relativity, it is difficult to accept different values.

Composed of 相対(そうたい) (relative, mutual) and 性(せい) (nature, quality). The 性(せい) suffix transforms an adjective or noun into an abstract quality, similar to English "-ity" or "-ness."

Most famously associated with Einstein's 相対性(そうたいせい)理論(りろん) (theory of relativity), but the word is also widely used in philosophy, cultural studies, and everyday discussion to express the idea that things can only be understood in relation to other things.

Common collocations

  • 相対性(そうたいせい)理論(りろん): theory of relativity
  • 一般(いっぱん)相対性(そうたいせい)理論(りろん): general theory of relativity
  • 特殊(とくしゅ)相対性(そうたいせい)理論(りろん): special theory of relativity
  • 文化(ぶんか)の相対性(そうたいせい): cultural relativity
  • 価値(かち)の相対性(そうたいせい): relativity of values

Similar words

  • 相対的(そうたいてき): relative (adjective) — the adjectival form used to describe something as relative rather than absolute
  • 絶対性(ぜったいせい): absoluteness — the opposite concept, the quality of being absolute
  • 相対(そうたい): relative; facing each other — the base form without the abstract-quality suffix

Related Words

Compare: 相対的(そうたいてき) (relative)
general
Added 2026.4.29 23:43 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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