前後関係
zengokankei[d͡zẽ̞ŋɡo̞kã̠ŋke̞ː]
In Japanese, the English word "context" can be expressed as 前後関係 (zengokankei) or 状況.
Meaning: circumstances or settings (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 前後関係 | zengokankei | [d͡zẽ̞ŋɡo̞kã̠ŋke̞ː] (narrow) |
| 状況 | jōkyō | [d͡ʑo̞ːkʲo̞ː] (narrow) |
The term for context in Japanese depends on whether you are discussing the logic of a sequence or the surrounding circumstances.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 前後関係 literally means the relationship of before and after.
Which one should you use?
Use 前後関係 when referring to logical or textual context, such as the sequence of words or events in a conversation or text. In contrast, use 状況 when referring to the situational context or the current state of affairs.
How do you pronounce it?
zengokankei
Did you know?
- When discussing the 'context' of a social situation, Japanese people often refer to the 空気 (kuuki), which literally means 'the air', to describe the unspoken mood or atmosphere.
- Japanese is often called a 'high-context' language because speakers frequently omit the subject or object of a sentence if the 状況 makes the meaning clear.
- In Japanese, if you want to describe the 'context' of a situation in a more atmospheric way, you might use 文脈 (bunmyaku), which literally means 'the vein of a text'.
Examples in context
- どういう状況？What's the context here?This sentence is useful for asking about the current 状況.Tatoeba #13810766 by Sh12, translation #13810479 by Ooneykcall
- 文脈を考慮して彼の発言を理解しなければなりません。You must understand his remarks in the context in which they were made.
- 状況に応じて対策を考える必要があります。We need to come up with countermeasures based on the context.
- 前後関係を把握することで、意味が明確になります。Understanding the context will make the meaning clear.
- 明確な状況設定が必要です。We need a clear context setting.
- 前後関係をよく確認してください。Zengo kankei o yoku kakunin shite kudasai.Please check the context carefully.
- 前後関係によって意味が変わります。Zengo kankei ni yotte imi ga kawarimasu.The meaning changes depending on the context.
Example conversation
A student asks a teacher about a confusing sentence in a textbook.
- 陽葵 Himariこの文章の前後関係がわかりません。Kono bunshō no zengo kankei ga wakarimasen.I don't understand the context of this sentence.
- 陽太 Yota前後関係を見て、文の流れを読みましょう。Zengo kankei o mite, bun no nagare o yomimashō.Look at the context and read the flow of the sentence.
- 陽葵 Himariなるほど、前後の文を見ればいいんですね。Naruhodo, zengo no bun o mireba ii ndesu ne.I see, I should look at the surrounding sentences.
- 陽太 Yotaその通りです。頑張ってください。Sono tōri desu. Ganbatte kudasai.Exactly. Good luck.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “context” translations and entries 前後関係, 状況, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
