synonym Comparative
様子
VS
世間体
Differences Between "様子" and "世間体"
Option A
様子
Meaning
appearance, state, situation, circumstances
Reading
ようす (yousu)
Syllabus Level
N4
Practical Example
彼は少し元気がない様子です。
He seems a bit down (his condition suggests he's not very energetic).
Option B
世間体
Meaning
decency; public reputation; appearance in eyes of society; gossip defense
Reading
せけんてい (sekentei)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
親戚の間での_______を気にするあまり、両親は息子の進路選択に対して頑なに反対し続けました。
Caring too much about public reputation among relatives, the parents stubbornly continued to oppose their son's choice of career path.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(appearance, state, situation, circumstances)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 様子: Describes the visible state, condition, or situation of a person, thing, or event. Often used with verbs like 見る (miru - to see) or 分かる (wakaru - to understand).
- 世間体: Refers to decency, public reputation, or appearance in the eyes of society (often concerns avoiding gossip or maintaining status in the community). Often used as 世間体が悪い or 世間体を気にする. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Public decency?! 'Holding hands closely is bad for public decency'?! Who cares about society's eyes! Outside the office, I want to be strictly your lover! Get closer!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『せけんてい（世間体）！『上司と部下が会社外でベタベタ密着してたら世間体が悪いです…』なんて言って私の手を離す気？！会社の外では世間体なんて関係ないわよ！もっと密着しなさい！』
- 様子: Describes the visible state, condition, or situation of a person, thing, or event. Often used with verbs like 見る (miru - to see) or 分かる (wakaru - to understand).
- 世間体: Refers to decency, public reputation, or appearance in the eyes of society (often concerns avoiding gossip or maintaining status in the community). Often used as 世間体が悪い or 世間体を気にする. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Public decency?! 'Holding hands closely is bad for public decency'?! Who cares about society's eyes! Outside the office, I want to be strictly your lover! Get closer!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『せけんてい（世間体）！『上司と部下が会社外でベタベタ密着してたら世間体が悪いです…』なんて言って私の手を離す気？！会社の外では世間体なんて関係ないわよ！もっと密着しなさい！』
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