Translation and Meaning of: 環境 - kankyou

The Japanese word 環境[かんきょう] is an essential term for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its meaning goes beyond simple translation, encompassing environmental, social, and even technological concepts. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is used in everyday Japanese, and some curiosities that can help with memorization. If you are looking to better understand 環境[かんきょう], you have come to the right place.

The meaning and translation of 環境 is "environment".

環境[かんきょう] is commonly translated as "environment" or "environmental". However, its usage encompasses both natural and social contexts. For example, it can refer to the ecosystem of a forest or the work environment in a company. This duality makes the word extremely versatile in modern Japanese.

It is worth noting that 環境 is not limited to just the physical aspect. It also describes conditions or circumstances that influence something, such as "educational environment" (教育環境) or "digital environment" (デジタル環境). This breadth makes the term indispensable in everyday conversations and in more technical discussions.

The origin and writing of 環境

The word 環境 is composed of two kanjis: 環 (kan), which means "ring" or "cycle," and 境 (kyō), which can be translated as "border" or "limit." Together, they form the idea of a "delimited cycle," which makes sense when we think about ecosystems or social systems that operate within certain parameters.

According to the Kangorin dictionary, the term gained popularity during the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan underwent modernization and began to discuss environmental and urban issues. Since then, 環境 has become a key word in debates about sustainability and development.

How 環境 is used in Japan today

In contemporary Japan, 環境 frequently appears in news, public policies, and even advertisements. Companies highlight their efforts to improve the "work environment" (職場環境), while the government promotes campaigns such as "sustainable environment" (持続可能な環境). Ecological awareness has further elevated the relevance of this term.

An interesting fact is that 環境 is also used in technological contexts. Phrases like "system configuration" (システム環境) are common in electronics and software manuals. This shows how the Japanese language adapts traditional terms to modern realities.

Tips for memorizing 環境

An effective way to memorize 環境 is to associate the kanjis that compose it with mental images. For example, 環 (ring) can evoke the cycle of nature, while 境 (boundary) refers to the limits of an ecosystem. This visual decomposition helps to understand and retain the meaning.

Another tip is to practice with everyday phrases, such as "環境を守る" (protect the environment) or "仕事の環境が良い" (the work environment is good). Repeating these expressions in real contexts reinforces learning in a natural way.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 環境 (kankyou) - Environment
  • あらまし (aramashi) - Summary
  • かんきょう (kankyou) - Ambience (repeated)
  • きょうきょく (kyoukyoku) - Supreme, utmost
  • きょうちょう (kyouchou) - Emphasis, highlight
  • げんきょう (genkyou) - Current status
  • しょうがい (shougai) - Difficulty, obstacle
  • たいき (taiki) - atmosphere
  • ちょうせい (chousei) - Adjustment, regulation
  • どうき (douki) - Movement, motivation
  • ぶんか (bunka) - Culture
  • べんり (benri) - convenient
  • みどり (midori) - green
  • ようちえん (youchien) - kindergarten
  • りんごう (ringou) - cooperation
  • 環境保護 (kankyou hogo) - Protection of the environment
  • 環境問題 (kankyou mondai) - Environmental issues
  • 環境整備 (kankyou seibi) - Environment maintenance
  • 環境改善 (kankyou kaizen) - Environmental improvement

Related words

チャイム

tyaimu

CHIME

izumi

spring; source

維持

iji

maintenance; preservation

安定

antei

stability; balance

冷蔵

reizou

cold storage; refrigeration

物音

monooto

sons

結び付き

musubitsuki

connection; relationship

向く

muku

to face

machi

city; road; road

hen

area; neighborhood

環境

Romaji: kankyou
Kana: かんきょう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: environment; circumstance

Meaning in English: environment;circumstance

Definition: Situation and surrounding conditions, such as nature and society.

Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (環境) kankyou

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (環境) kankyou:

Example Sentences - (環境) kankyou

See below some example sentences:

削減は環境保護のために重要です。

Sakugen wa kankyō hogo no tame ni jūyō desu

Reduction is important for environmental protection.

The reduction is important for environmental protection.

  • 削減 - reduction
  • は - Topic particle
  • 環境保護 - environmental protection
  • のために - for
  • 重要 - important
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
化繊は環境に悪影響を与える可能性がある。

Kasen wa kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga aru

Synthetic fibers may have an adverse effect on the environment.

  • 化繊 - abbreviation of "chemical fiber", refers to synthetic fabrics produced from chemical products.
  • は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "化繊".
  • 環境 - environment, environment.
  • に - location particle, indicates that the negative impact is "in" the environment.
  • 悪影響 - negative effect, harmful impact.
  • を - direct object particle, indicates that the object of the action is "可能性 of having a negative impact on the environment".
  • 与える - to cause, to have an effect on.
  • 可能性 - possibility, probability.
  • が - subject particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "可能性がある".
  • ある - to exist, to have.
放射能は環境に悪影響を与える可能性があります。

Hōshanō wa kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu

Radioactivity can have an adverse effect on the environment.

  • 放射能 - Radiation
  • は - Topic marking particle
  • 環境 - environment
  • に - Destination marking particle
  • 悪影響 - negative effect
  • を - object marker particle
  • 与える - cause
  • 可能性 - possibility
  • が - subject marking particle
  • あります - exists
新入生は新しい環境に慣れるのに時間がかかることがあります。

Shinnyūsei wa atarashii kankyō ni nareru no ni jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

New students can take time to get used to a new environment.

  • 新入生 - "new students"
  • は - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "new students".
  • 新しい - means "new" in Japanese.
  • 環境 - It means "environment" in Japanese.
  • に - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to" the new environment.
  • 慣れる - It means "to get used to" in Japanese.
  • のに - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates a condition or a reason, in this case "to" get used to the new environment.
  • 時間 - "tempo" means "time" in Japanese.
  • がかかる - it's a Japanese expression that means "to take time" or "to be necessary time".
  • こと - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates an action or an event, in this case "to take time".
  • あります - It is a polite way to say "there is" or "there are" in Japanese.
清潔な環境は健康につながる。

Seiketsu na kankyou wa kenkou ni tsunagaru

A clean environment leads to health.

  • 清潔な - adjective that means "clean"
  • 環境 - noun that means "environment"
  • は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
  • 健康 - noun that means "health"
  • に - particle that indicates the relationship between the subject and the verb
  • つながる - verb that means "to be connected" or "to be related"
私は新しい環境でまごつくことがあります。

Watashi wa atarashii kankyō de magotsuku koto ga arimasu

I get confused in new environments.

I can get rid of it in a new environment.

  • 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • 新しい - 新しい (atarashii)
  • 環境 - Japanese noun that means "environment"
  • で - particle that indicates the location where the action takes place
  • まごつく - Japanese verb that means "to become confused."
  • こと - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
  • が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • あります - Japanese verb that means "to exist"
私は新しい環境に慣れるのに時間がかかります。

Watashi wa atarashii kankyō ni nareru no ni jikan ga kakarimasu

It takes time to get used to a new environment.

  • 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
  • 新しい - 新しい (atarashii)
  • 環境 - Japanese noun that means "environment"
  • に - Japanese particle that indicates action towards something or a place.
  • 慣れる - Japanese verb that means "to get used to"
  • のに - Japanese particle that indicates the purpose or objective of an action.
  • 時間 - Japanese noun that means "time"
  • が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • かかります - Japanese verb meaning "to take time."

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

ka

Department; section

検査

kensa

Inspection (for example, customs factory); exam

議題

gidai

discussion topic; schedule

用心

youjin

care; precaution; guard; caution

光熱費

kounetsuhi

cost of fuel and electricity

環境