How to say "civilization" in Japanese

• 文化ぶんかJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounChiefly the word for 'culture'; when it renders 'civilization' the emphasis falls on a society's arts, letters and ways of life, so use it where 'culture' would also fit in English.
  両りょう地域ちいきは宗教しゅうきょうと文化ぶんかが違ちがっている。↗

  The two regions differ in religion and culture.
• 文明ぶんめいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe closest match for 'civilization' as an organized, developed human society; this is the word for speaking of ancient civilizations or the rise and fall of civilizations.
  １９世紀せいきは白人はくじん文明ぶんめいの時代じだいだった。↗

  The nineteenth century was the age of the white man's civilization.
• 開明かいめいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThis word is really about enlightenment — an enlightened state of a society or age — and is seldom the word you want for plain 'civilization'.
• 人文じんぶんCommon
  nounReally means humanity — humane culture and learning. It is seldom the word you want for 'civilization' itself.
• 教化きょうかCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCenters on education and enlightenment — guiding and uplifting people through teaching. Its link to 'civilization' is that civilizing sense, so it is seldom the plain word for 'civilization'.

Choose 文明 for civilization as a developed, organized society, 文化 when the sense is closer to culture, and treat 開明, 人文 and 教化 as marginal options tied to enlightenment, the humanities and education.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 文化ぶんかculture
• 文明ぶんめいcivilization
• 開明かいめいcivilization
• 人文じんぶんhumanity
• 教化きょうかeducation
• 開化かいかcivilization
• シビライゼーションcivilization
• 開けひらけcivilization