Translation and Meaning of: 文明 - bunmei

The word 「文明」(bunmei) in Japanese refers to both the concept of "civilization" and that of "culture." The etymology of the term traces back to two kanji characters: 「文」(bun) and 「明」(mei). 「文」carries the meaning of "text," "writing," or "culture," and is associated with the idea of social and cultural standards. On the other hand, 「明」means "bright," "clarity," or "illumination," representing advancement and development. Together, they convey the idea of an advanced society that values knowledge, cultural organization, and progress.

The origin of the use of the word 「文明」 in the Japanese context can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1868), but it gained significant prominence during the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912). This was a crucial period when Japan opened up to the Western world and began rapid modernization, adopting various foreign technologies and cultural influences. During this time, the notion of 「文明開化」 (bunmei kaika), which can be translated as "civilization and enlightenment," became a banner for the transformation of Japan into a modern and sophisticated nation.

In contemporary use, 「文明」can encompass multiple facets, including technological development, cultural practices, and social advancements. The word is often used in academic and educational contexts to describe the evolution of human societies. Discussions about 「文明」may also include topics such as cultural exchange, globalization, and the impacts of technological advancement on the way we live. The complexity of this word reflects its comprehensive meaning, which goes beyond the simple idea of material progress to include intangible aspects of social evolution.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 文化 (Bunka) - Culture, referring to the set of values, traditions, and practices of a society.
• 文明度 (Bunmeiddo) - Level of civilization, often used to indicate the cultural and social development of a society.
• 文明社会 (Bunmei shakai) - Civilized society, emphasizing a community that has reached a high level of cultural and social development.

文明

Romaji: bunmei
Kana: ぶんめい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: civilization; culture

Meaning in English: civilization;culture

Definition: A state in which humans form a society and develop culture and technology.

Example Sentences - (文明) bunmei

See below some example sentences:

「人類の文明の起源はどこにあるのか？」

Jinrui no bunmei no kigen wa doko ni aru no ka?

Where is the origin of human civilization?

• 人類 - "human race"
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is owned by the previous one.
• 文明 - It means "civilization" in Japanese.
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is owned by the previous one.
• 起源 - means "origin" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is the subject of the sentence.
• どこ - means "where" in Japanese.
• に - location particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is the place where something is.
• ある - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates the existence of something.
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is owned by the previous one.
• か - interrogative particle in Japanese, which indicates a question.
• ？ - punctuation mark in Japanese that indicates a question.

文明な社会を目指しましょう。

Bunmei na shakai wo mezashimashou

Let's look for a civil society.

• 文明な - civilized
• 社会 - society
• を - direct object particle
• 目指しましょう - let's strive to achieve