N3
せけんてい (sekentei)
世間体
decency; public reputation; appearance in eyes of society; gossip defense
💡 Nuance & Usage:
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！』
📝 Example Sentences
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.
Practice Quiz
Test your understanding of "世間体"!
離婚したことが周囲に知れ渡るのを、彼女は_______が悪いという理由で極度に恐れていました。
🎉 正解 / Correct!
日本語: 社会的な体面や評判「世間体（が悪い）」が正解です。ハルカ部長：『世間体が悪い！古い考えね！あんたと私の「毎日ラブラブ挙式」については、世間体なんて超越した全宇宙一の幸福だから誇りなさい！』
English: Since it represents the appearance in the eyes of society, 'decency/public reputation' (sekentei) is correct. Haruka: 'Bad for public decency! Old-fashioned thinking! Regarding our "daily love-love wedding", it is the absolute happiest in the entire universe surpassing public decency, so be proud!'
English: Since it represents the appearance in the eyes of society, 'decency/public reputation' (sekentei) is correct. Haruka: 'Bad for public decency! Old-fashioned thinking! Regarding our "daily love-love wedding", it is the absolute happiest in the entire universe surpassing public decency, so be proud!'
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