How to say "civilisation" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 文化ぶんかnounMainly 'culture'; when it covers civilisation, the sense is a society's arts, thought and refinements rather than its material development — the word for discussions of art, learning and customs.
- 文明ぶんめいnounThe primary word for civilisation as an organised, developed society — cities, technology, institutions — or for the material side of progress; the natural choice in history writing and general discussion.
- 人文じんぶんnounA word for human culture and learning that in practice turns up mainly in academic field names; for the sense 'civilisation' it is marginal, and seldom the word you want.
- 開明かいめいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the sense of a society becoming enlightened and progressive rather than civilisation as an entity; it is really 'enlightenment', and seldom the word you want for civilisation itself.
- 教化きょうかnoun, suru verb, transitive verbReally means moral education or enlightenment — guiding and improving people through teaching. Its link to 'civilisation' is thin, so it is marginal here and seldom the word you want.
For civilisation as a developed society or its material progress choose 文明; for its cultural and intellectual side choose 文化; 人文, 開明 and 教化 are narrower or marginal options closer to the humanities and enlightenment.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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