常識
Meaning: Common sense — but in Japan, often weaponised as a social tool to enforce conformity and unwritten rules.
While the dictionary definition is simply 'common sense,' 常識 in practice functions as a powerful social enforcement mechanism. Saying something is 常識 means 'everyone knows this' and implies you should too. It is frequently used to shut down debate, enforce conformity, or shame people who behave differently. The phrase 常識でしょ ('it's common sense, right?') is particularly loaded, carrying an implicit 'what's wrong with you?'
Examples
- それくらい常識でしょって言われると腹立つ。 被人说'这种事是常识吧'的时候真的很火大。Que te digan «eso es de sentido común» me pone de los nervios.그 정도는 상식이지'라고 하면 진짜 짜증 나.
- 日本の常識は海外の非常識ってよく言うよね。 常说日本的常识就是海外的非常识嘛。Siempre se dice que el sentido común en Japón es una locura en el extranjero, ¿no?일본의 상식은 해외에서는 비상식이라는 말 자주 하잖아.
- 常識を疑うことから新しい発想が生まれる。 质疑常识才能产生新的想法。De cuestionar el sentido común nacen las ideas nuevas.상식을 의심하는 데서 새로운 발상이 탄생한다.
Pronunciation
/dʑoː.ɕi.ki/
Usage Guide
Context: everyday conversation, workplace, social media
Tone: assertive, sometimes condescending
✓ Do Say
- 社会人としての常識は身につけておこう (Let's acquire the common sense expected of working adults)作为职场人应有的常识还是要掌握的(Let's acquire the common sense expected of working adults)Adquiramos el sentido común que se espera de un profesional (Let's acquire the common sense expected of working adults)사회인으로서의 상식은 갖추자 (직장인으로서 기본 상식은 익혀 두자)
- 常識にとらわれない発想が大事 (Ideas that aren't bound by common sense are important)不被常识束缚的想法很重要(Ideas that aren't bound by common sense are important)Las ideas que no se atan al sentido común son importantes (Ideas that aren't bound by common sense are important)상식에 얽매이지 않는 발상이 중요해 (상식에 구애받지 않는 생각이 중요하다)
✗ Don't Say
- 外国人に「常識でしょ」は通じないし失礼 (Saying 'it's common sense' to foreigners doesn't work and is rude)对外国人说'这是常识吧'既不通又失礼(Saying 'it's common sense' to foreigners doesn't work and is rude)Decirle «es de sentido común» a un extranjero no funciona y es una falta de respeto (Saying 'it's common sense' to foreigners doesn't work and is rude)외국인에게 '상식이지'라고 하면 통하지 않고 실례다 (외국인에게 '상식이잖아'라고 하면 소통도 안 되고 무례하다)
Common Mistakes
- Not realising that 常識 varies by culture — what is 'common sense' in Japan may not be elsewhere
- Using 常識でしょ too aggressively, which sounds condescending and shuts down conversation
Origin & History
Originally a straightforward term meaning shared knowledge, 常識 gained its socially loaded dimension through Japan's emphasis on group harmony and unwritten social codes. The famous saying 日本の常識は世界の非常識 (Japan's common sense is the world's nonsense) captures its cultural specificity.
Cultural Context
Era: Timeless concept with increasing social commentary in modern era
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. One of the most culturally significant everyday words in Japanese.
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