How to say "environment" in Japanese

• 環境かんきょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers 'environment' in its most general sense — the surroundings or conditions in which a person, thing or activity exists, as well as the natural environment; when nature alone is meant, 自然環境 is more precise.
  私わたしたちが環境かんきょう面めんの問題もんだいを耳みみにしないで過すぎる日ひは１日にちとてない。↗

  Not a day goes by without our hearing of an environmental problem.
• 境遇きょうぐうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'environment' only as a person's circumstances in life — the conditions one lives under — not the physical or natural environment; choose it only where English could also say 'circumstances'.
  そのような境遇きょうぐうであったにもかかわらず、彼かれは自分じぶん一人ひとりで道みちを切り開きりひらいた。↗

  Although he was in such circumstances, he made his way by himself.
• 自然環境しぜんかんきょうCommon
  nounThe precise term when 'the environment' means the natural world — nature, its living things and their surroundings; it is 環境 narrowed to the natural side, so use it when nature is what you mean.
  私達わたしたちは自然しぜん環境かんきょうを重視じゅうしすべきだ。↗

  We should place much value on the environment.
• 勝手かってCommon
  nounIts core meanings are 'as one likes', 'convenience' and 'the way things are done in a place'; the 'surroundings, environment' sense is marginal, so this is seldom the word you want for 'environment'.
  君きみもこの手ての仕事しごとは初はじめてなんだろう？勝手かってがわかるまではマニュアル通とおりにやっておいたほうがいいよ。↗

  It's your first time doing this kind of work. You should follow the manual exactly until you get more experience.
• 園そのJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounEssentially 'garden', or figuratively 'a world or realm' of something; the 'environment' gloss is marginal, and this is seldom the word you want — reach for 環境 instead.

Choose 環境 for surroundings or the natural environment in general, 自然環境 when nature specifically is meant, and 境遇 for a person's circumstances in life; 勝手 and 園 are marginal choices for this English word.

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

• 環境かんきょうenvironment
• 境遇きょうぐうone's circumstances
• 自然環境しぜんかんきょうnatural environment
• エンバイロメントenvironment
• ミリューmilieu
• 勝手かってsurroundings
• 園そのplace
• 境さかいarea