Society & Culture

Introduction

Understanding Japanese society requires vocabulary that goes beyond the personal. N4 introduces words for social structures, cultural practices, and community life that help you engage with Japan on a deeper level.

These terms are essential for reading news articles and understanding social commentary.

Themes

All JLPT N4 Vocabulary in This Chapter (24)

1. 社会 しゃかい Society; community; the world at large. The collective structure of people living together.
2. 文化 ぶんか Culture; civilisation. The arts, customs, and way of life of a society.
3. 伝統 でんとう Tradition; convention. Customs and practices passed down through generations.
4. 習慣 しゅうかん Habit; custom; practice. A regularly repeated behaviour or social convention.
5. 宗教 しゅうきょう Religion; faith; creed. A system of beliefs and worship.
6. 政治 せいじ Politics; government. The activities involved in governing a country or region.
7. 法律 ほうりつ Law; legislation. A rule or set of rules established by a government.
8. 権利 けんり Right; privilege. A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.
9. 義務 ぎむ Duty; obligation; responsibility. Something one is required to do.
10. 自由 じゆう Freedom; liberty. The state of being free from restriction or control.
11. 平和 へいわ Peace; harmony. A state free from war, conflict, or disturbance.
12. 戦争 せんそう War. Armed conflict between countries or groups.
13. 国際 こくさい International. Relating to or involving two or more countries.
14. 人口 じんこう Population. The total number of people living in a particular area.
15. 原因 げんいん Cause; origin; source. The reason something happens.
16. 結果 けっか Result; consequence; outcome. What happens because of an action or event.
17. 影響 えいきょう Influence; effect; impact. The power to change or affect something.
18. 関係 かんけい Relation; relationship; connection. A link or association between people or things.
19. 団体 だんたい Group; organisation; party. A collection of people with a shared purpose.
20. 組織 そしき Organisation; formation; structure. A systematically arranged group or system.
21. 制度 せいど System; institution; programme. An established set of rules or methods for organising something.
22. 規則 きそく Rule; regulation. A prescribed guideline for conduct or procedure.
23. 着物 きもの Kimono; Japanese traditional dress. A full-length robe worn with an obi sash.
24. 電灯 でんとう Electric light; lamp. A device that produces light using electricity.