Meaning and Usage
"社会" (しゃかい) means "society" and refers to the community or group of people living together under shared laws and customs. It is a common noun used in everyday conversation and formal contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often see "社会" in discussions about social issues (社会問題), social roles, or when referring to the broader community beyond the individual or family.
Collocations and Patterns
- 社会問題 (しゃかいもんだい): social problems or issues
- 社会人 (しゃかいじん): a working member of society, often used to describe someone who has graduated and joined the workforce
- 社会生活 (しゃかいせいかつ): social life
Usage Notes
When using "社会," speakers often imply a collective or organized group of people rather than just a crowd. It is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Be careful not to confuse "社会" with "世間" (せけん), which refers more to public opinion or the world around an individual.
Example Situations
- Talking about societal responsibilities
- Discussing social problems in news or school
- Describing someone's role as a member of society