環境問題

• Reading: かんきょうもんだい
• Romaji: kankyoumondai
• Kanji breakdown: 環 (kan) — ring, surroundings; 境 (kyou) — boundary, environment; 問 (mon) — question; 題 (dai) — topic, subject
• Pronunciation: /kaɴ.kʲoː.moɴ.da.i/

Meaning

Environmental problem; environmental issue. Problems related to the natural environment such as pollution and climate change.

A compound noun combining 環境 (environment) and 問題 (problem). It serves as an umbrella term for issues like 温暖化 (global warming), 汚染 (pollution), and 森林破壊 (deforestation). This term appears frequently in news, education, and policy contexts.

Examples

1. 環境問題に関心を持つ若者が増えている。 More and more young people are becoming interested in environmental issues.
2. 環境問題について授業で発表した。 I gave a presentation on environmental issues in class.
3. 世界中の国が環境問題に取り組んでいる。 Countries around the world are working to address environmental issues.

Usage Guide

Context: news, education, politics

Tone: serious

Origin & History

A compound of 環境 (environment, from 環 'ring/surroundings' + 境 'boundary/environment') and 問題 (problem, from 問 'question' + 題 'topic').

Cultural Context

Era: Contemporary

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal