Translation and Meaning of: 境 - sakai

The Japanese word 境[さかい] carries deep meanings and varied uses in daily life in Japan. If you are learning Japanese or are simply interested in the culture of the country, understanding the meaning and application of this expression can open doors to new interpretations. In this article, we will explore everything from the basic meaning to curiosities about how it appears in cultural and linguistic contexts.

In addition to being a useful term for students, 境[さかい] also has relevance in philosophical and social discussions in Japan. We will see how this word is used in different situations, from everyday conversations to more formal expressions. If you have ever wondered about its origin or the best way to memorize it, keep reading to find out.

Meaning and usage of 境[さかい]

In its essence, 境[さかい] means "boundary," "limit," or "dividing line." It can refer to both physical barriers, such as between countries or regions, as well as abstract concepts, such as moments of transition in life. For example, the expression 境目[さかいめ] (derived from 境) describes the line that separates two things, whether it’s a river between cities or the change from one phase to another.

In everyday life, the Japanese use this word to talk about situations where there is a clear distinction between two states. A practical example is the phrase 「人生の境に立つ」, which means "to be at a turning point in life." This type of use shows how the term is linked to decisive moments, reinforcing its importance in both language and culture.

Origin and writing of the kanji 境

The kanji 境 is composed of the radical 土 (earth) and the component 竟, which suggests the idea of conclusion or limit. This combination is not accidental: it reinforces the notion of division between spaces or concepts. Etymological studies indicate that the character originated in ancient China and was incorporated into Japanese with a meaning similar to the original.

It is worth noting that 境 is not one of the most common kanjis in daily life, but it appears in important words like 境界[きょうかい] (boundary) and 環境[かんきょう] (environment). If you are learning Japanese, recognizing this kanji in compounds can help expand your vocabulary significantly.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to fix 境[さかい] is to associate it with images of concrete divisions, such as maps with lines demarcating territories. Another strategy is to remember its presence in terms like 境内[けいだい], which refers to the grounds of a Shinto shrine— a defined space with religious significance.

Interestingly, this word also carries a philosophical weight in Japan. It appears in discussions about 幽玄[ゆうげん], an aesthetic concept that values mystery and the boundaries between the visible and the invisible. This type of use shows how the Japanese language connects everyday terms to deeper reflections.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 界 (kai) - world, sphere; the concept of a defined area.
• 限界 (genkai) - limit, restriction; refers to the maximum achievable in any context.
• 範囲 (han'i) - scope; refers to an area of influence or effect.
• 縁 (en) - bond, connection; implying a special relationship or tie.
• 境界 (kyōkai) - border, limit; the line that separates two territories or states.
• 境地 (kyōchi) - state or condition; refers to a mental or psychological state associated with a limit.
• 境遇 (kyōgu) - circumstances; the conditions or situations that surround a person.
• 境目 (sakaime) - division, boundary; a line or point of demarcation between two areas.
• 境界線 (kyōkaisenn) - border line; the line that delineates the borders of two territories.
• 境界面 (kyōkaimen) - boundary surface; refers to the surface where two areas meet.
• 境内 (keidai) - temple area; refers to the area within the space of a temple.
• 境外 (keigai) - outside the area; indicates the region beyond the border or limit of a specific space.
• 境界部分 (kyōkaibubun) - part of the border; refers to a specific section of a boundary line.
• 境界点 (kyōkaiten) - boundary point; a specific point that marks the boundary between two areas.
• 境域 (kyōiki) - zone or area; refers to a region defined by boundaries.
• 境地面 (kyōchimen) - state surface; the area where certain conditions or states meet.
• 境目線 (sakaimisen) - boundary line; refers to the visual line that divides two areas.
• 境目面 (sakaimesen) - demarcation surface; it refers to the surface that separates two circumscriptions.
• 境目部分 (sakaibubun) - demarcation part; a specific section that marks the separation between areas.
• 境目点 (sakaimeten) - boundary point; a specific point that indicates the separation between areas.
• 境目域 (sakaimidai) - demarcation zone; an area that designates or defines boundaries.
• 境目地 (sakaimichi) - place of demarcation; refers to the exact location of separation between areas.
• 境目遇 (sakaimou) - meeting of limits; refers to the point where two areas meet.
• 境目界 (sakaikakai) - demarcation border; refers to the boundary between two separated areas.
• 境目範囲 (sakaimihan'i) - demarcation scope; the extent or area defined by boundaries.
• 境目縁 (sakaien) - limitation connection; implies a relationship between limits and their connections.
• 境目限界 (sakaigenkai) - limit of demarcation; the maximum point of separation between areas.
• 境目界線 (sakaikaisen) - boundary line; the physical line that separates two areas.
• 境目界面 (sakaikaimen) - demarcation surface; refers to the surface that represents the separation.
• 境目内 (sakaiminai) - within the limit; refers to the internal area of a demarcation.
• 境目外 (sakaimigai) - out of bounds; represents everything that is beyond the demarcation.
• 境目界部分 (sakaikakubun) - part of the demarcation line; a specific section of the line that divides areas.

境

Romaji: sakai
Kana: さかい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: border; limit; state

Meaning in English: border;boundary;mental state

Definition: Borders

Example Sentences - (境) sakai

See below some example sentences:

過剰な消費は地球環境に悪影響を与える。

Kajō na shōhi wa chikyū kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru

Excess consumption has a negative impact on the Earth's environment.

Excess consumption has a negative effect on the global environment.

• 過剰な消費 - excess consumption
• は - Article indicating the subject/topic of the sentence
• 地球環境 - global environment
• に - partícula que indica o objeto indireto da frase
• 悪影響 - negative impact
• を - article indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 与える - dar, causar

鉱業は地球環境に影響を与える重要な産業です。

Kougyou wa chikyuu kankyou ni eikyou wo ataeru juuyou na sangyou desu

Mining is an important industry that affects the environment of the earth.

Mining is an important industry that affects the global environment.

• 鉱業 - mining industry
• は - Topic particle
• 地球環境 - Earth's environment
• に - target particle
• 影響を与える - make an impact
• 重要な - important
• 産業 - industry
• です - Verb to be/estar

環境保護は私たちの義務です。

Kankyō hogo wa watashitachi no gimu desu

Protecting the environment is our responsibility.

Environmental protection is our duty.

• 環境保護 - environmental protection
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - we
• の - Possessive particle
• 義務 - Duty, obligation
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

汚染は環境に悪影響を与えます。

Osen wa kankyou ni aku eikyou wo ataemasu

Pollution has a negative impact on the environment.

Pollution has a negative effect on the environment.

• 汚染 (ossen) - pollution
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 環境 (kankyou) - Environment
• に (ni) - target particle
• 悪影響 (akueikyou) - negative effect
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 与えます (ataemasu) - cause

排水は重要な環境問題です。

Haisui wa juuyou na kankyou mondai desu

Drainage is an important environmental issue.

Drainage is an important environmental problem.

• 排水 - Means "sewer" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese, and is an adjective that modifies the noun "環境問題".
• 環境問題 - means "environmental problem" in Japanese, and is the subject of the sentence.
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" in Japanese, and indicates that the sentence is a statement.

周辺の環境を大切にしましょう。

Shuuhen no kankyou wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's take care of the environment around us.

Let's value the surrounding environment.

• 周辺 - It means "surroundings" or "neighborhood".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 環境 - It means "environment" or "environment."
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• に - TP31A preposition that indicates action or movement towards something.
• しましょう - polite and polite way of the verb "fazer".

公害は環境に悪影響を与えます。

Kougai wa kankyou ni aku eikyou wo ataemasu

Environmental pollution has a negative impact on the environment.

Pollution has a negative effect on the environment.

• 公害 (kougai) - pollution
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 環境 (kankyou) - environment
• に (ni) - target particle
• 悪影響 (aku eikyou) - negative effect
• を (wo) - object particle
• 与えます (ataemasu) - cause, have an impact

伐採は環境に悪影響を与える。

Bassai wa kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru

Logging has a negative impact on the environment.

The cut has a negative effect on the environment.

• 伐採 - tree cutting
• は - Topic particle
• 環境 - environment
• に - Location particle
• 悪影響 - negative effect
• を - direct object particle
• 与える - cause

プラスチックは環境に悪影響を与えることがあります。

Purasuchikku wa kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru koto ga arimasu

Plastic can have a negative impact on the environment.

Plastic can have a negative effect on the environment.

• プラスチック - Word in Japanese that means "plastic"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 環境 - Japanese word meaning "environment"
• に - particle in Japanese that indicates the relationship of something with something else
• 悪影響 - Japanese word meaning "negative effect"
• を - particle in Japanese that indicates the object of the sentence
• 与える - Japanese verb that means "to cause"
• こと - noun in Japanese that means "thing"
• が - Particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります - verb in Japanese that means "to exist"

下水は環境に悪い影響を与える可能性があります。

Kasui wa kankyō ni warui eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu

Sewage can have a bad effect on the environment.

• 下水 (gesui) - wastewater
• 環境 (kankyo) - environment
• 悪い (warui) - bad
• 影響 (eikyo) - influence, effect
• 与える (ataeru) - cause, give
• 可能性 (kanousei) - possibility
• あります (arimasu) - there is, there is