文化|ぶんかbunka[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N4approx.Common
Definitions
  1. nounculture; civilization; civilisation
    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.
  2. nounBunka era (1804.2.11-1818.4.22)
Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymカルチャーNeutralLoanword for culture or personal cultivation; mostly used in compounds such as 「カルチャーセンター」 and 「カルチャーショック」.
  • Synonym文明ぶんめいWrittenFormal, written word for a society with highly developed technology and institutions, as in 「古代文明」; stresses the material side, where 「文化」 stresses the spiritual.
  • SynonymシビライゼーションNeutralLoanword for civilization; rare, seen mostly in proper names or when a speaker deliberately uses a foreign term.
  • Antonym自然しぜんNeutralOpposite of the human-made sense of 「文化」: the natural state, untouched by human hands.
  • Antonym野蛮やばんWrittenFormal, written word for the uncivilized; the opposite of 「文化」 and 「文明」.

Default to 「文化」. 「文明」 is for societies with advanced technology and institutions; it stresses the material side, 「文化」 the spiritual. 「カルチャー」 mostly appears in compounds. Use 「自然」 for the untouched natural state and 「野蛮」 for the uncivilized.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 人間にんげんがその歴史れきしにおいて形成けいせいしてきた慣習かんしゅう、営いとなみの総称そうしょう。カルチャー。場合ばあいにより哲学てつがく・芸術げいじゅつ・学問がくもん・信仰しんこうなど人間にんげんの精神的せいしんてき営いとなみと、その成果せいかを指さす。
  2. (語義ごぎ1から転てんじて)他たの語彙ごいの前まえに付ついて、ハイカラ・便利べんり・新式しんしきなどの意いを表あらわす。 文明ぶんめい開化かいか。
  3. 日本にっぽんの元号げんごうの一ひとつ。享和きょうわの後あと、文政ぶんせいの前まえ。1804年ねん3月がつ22日にちから1818年ねん5月がつ26日かまでの期間きかんのこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android