世間体
Meaning: Keeping up appearances; concern about how others in the community perceive you and your family.
世間体 describes the powerful social pressure to maintain a respectable public image within one's community. It influences major life decisions — career choices, marriage, education — and is often cited as a source of stress. While younger generations push back against 世間体, it remains a driving force in Japanese society, particularly for older generations and in rural communities.
Examples
- 世間体を気にしすぎて自分の好きなことができない。 太在意别人的眼光，结果做不了自己喜欢的事。Me preocupo tanto por las apariencias que no puedo hacer lo que me gusta.남의 눈을 너무 의식해서 좋아하는 것도 못 해.
- 親は世間体ばっかり気にして、私の気持ちは無視。 父母只顾着面子，完全无视我的感受。Mis padres solo se preocupan por las apariencias e ignoran mis sentimientos.부모님은 체면만 신경 쓰고, 내 마음은 무시해.
- 世間体なんかどうでもいいから自分らしく生きたい。 别人怎么看我无所谓，我想活出自己。Me importan un bledo las apariencias; quiero vivir siendo yo mismo.남의 시선 같은 거 상관없으니까 나답게 살고 싶어.
Pronunciation
/se.keɴ.te.i/
Usage Guide
Context: family pressure, life decisions, social commentary, generational conflict
Tone: critical, frustrated, resigned
✓ Do Say
- 世間体を気にする気持ちはわかるけど、自分の幸せも大事だよ (I understand worrying about appearances, but your own happiness matters too)在意别人的眼光我能理解，但自己的幸福也很重要（I understand worrying about appearances, but your own happiness matters too）Entiendo que te preocupen las apariencias, pero tu propia felicidad también importa.체면을 의식하는 마음은 이해하지만, 자기 행복도 중요해 (I understand worrying about appearances, but your own happiness matters too)
- 世間体のために我慢し続けるのは限界がある (There's a limit to enduring things just for appearances)为了面子一直忍耐总有个极限（There's a limit to enduring things just for appearances）Hay un límite para aguantar cosas solo por las apariencias.체면 때문에 계속 참는 건 한계가 있어 (There's a limit to enduring things just for appearances)
✗ Don't Say
- 他人の世間体を気にする理由を「くだらない」と切り捨てるのは共感に欠ける (Dismissing someone's concern about appearances as 'stupid' lacks empathy for the real social pressure they face)把别人在意面子的理由说成'无聊'，是缺乏对他们所承受的社会压力的共情（Dismissing someone's concern about appearances as 'stupid' lacks empathy for the real social pressure they face）Desdeñar la preocupación de alguien por las apariencias diciendo «es una tontería» denota falta de empatía ante la presión social real que siente.남의 체면 걱정을 '쓸데없다'고 무시하는 건 그들이 겪는 실제 사회적 압력에 대한 공감이 부족한 것이다 (Dismissing someone's concern about appearances as 'stupid' lacks empathy for the real social pressure they face)
Common Mistakes
- Underestimating the real social consequences of ignoring 世間体 — community ostracism is a genuine risk, especially in smaller towns
- Thinking 世間体 is only about vanity — it often involves protecting family members from gossip and social exclusion
Origin & History
From 世間 (society/the world/community) + 体 (body/form/appearance) — the form one presents to society. Reflects the Japanese concept that individual actions reflect on the entire family and community.
Cultural Context
Era: Deep-rooted cultural concept, increasingly questioned in modern era
Generation: All ages (strongest in older generations and rural areas)
Social background: Universal, especially families
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Particularly powerful in rural communities and traditional families where social reputation directly affects daily life.
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