哲学

• Reading: てつがく
• Romaji: tetsugaku
• Kanji breakdown: 哲 (tetsu) — wise, sagacious; 学 (gaku) — study, learning
• Pronunciation: /te.tsɯ.ɡa.kɯ/

Meaning

Philosophy; the study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and values.

A noun coined during the Meiji era to translate the Western concept of philosophy. Used both for academic philosophy and personal principles: 人生の哲学 (jinsei no tetsugaku, philosophy of life), 経営哲学 (keiei tetsugaku, business philosophy). Common in intellectual discussion and education. The adjective form is 哲学的 (tetsugaku-teki, philosophical).

Examples

1. 大学で哲学を専攻している友達がいる。 I have a friend who's majoring in philosophy at college.
2. 彼の仕事に対する哲学はとても興味深い。 His philosophy toward work is really fascinating.
3. 哲学的な質問を考えると夜眠れなくなる。 When I think about philosophical questions, I can't sleep at night.

Usage Guide

Context: education, intellectual discussion, personal values

Tone: intellectual

Origin & History

Coined by Meiji-era scholar Nishi Amane (西周). Combines 哲 (tetsu, wise/sagacious) and 学 (gaku, study). 哲 depicts a hand (扌) breaking open (折) to reveal wisdom — the act of philosophical inquiry.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated