環境
kankyō[kã̠ŋʲkʲo̞ː]
The English phrase "environment" is 環境 (kankyō) in Japanese.
環境 refers to the natural world or ecosystem, but it is also used to describe human-made surroundings, such as a living or working environment. You can create several common compound terms with it: 環境問題 means "environmental issues", 環境保護 means "environmental protection" and 環境汚染 means "environmental pollution". Additionally, adding the word 問題 (problem) to 環境 creates the common compound 環境問題, which means "environmental problems".
Meaning: natural world or ecosystem (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 環境 is composed of the characters 環 (ring/circle) and 境 (boundary/limit).
How do you pronounce it?
kankyō
Did you know?
- In Japanese corporate culture, the phrase 環境を変える ('change the environment') is often used as a euphemism for quitting a job to start over elsewhere.
- To describe being 'environmentally friendly', Japanese uses the term 環境に優しい, which literally means 'the environment is kind' or 'gentle on the environment'.
- While 環境 is used for the ecosystem, Japanese speakers use the word 自然 ('nature') when talking about the 'great outdoors' or scenery. Calling a beautiful forest 環境 would sound like you are describing a scientific habitat rather than a vista.
Examples in context
- 彼は環境に順応した。He adapted to his environment.This sentence shows how someone adapted to their environment using 環境.Tatoeba #108762 by bunbuku, translation #4571566 by Raizin
- 職場環境は良かったです。Our working environment was good.This sentence describes a good working environment using 環境.Tatoeba #12367166 by small_snow, translation #8883961 by CK
- 環境を汚染する工場もある。Some factories pollute the environment.This sentence mentions factories that pollute the environment using 環境.Tatoeba #183895 by bunbuku, translation #21020 by CK
- この公園の環境はすばらしいですね。The environment in this park is wonderful, isn't it?
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are talking about protecting nature.
- 蓮 Ren環境を守ることは大切だと思いますか。Kankyō o mamoru koto wa taisetsu da to omoimasu ka.Do you think it is important to protect the environment?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、環境のためにできることをしたいです。Hai, kankyō no tame ni dekiru koto o shitai desu.Yes, I want to do what I can for the environment.
- 蓮 Renプラスチックを減らすことから始めましょう。Purasuchikku o herasu koto kara hajimemashō.Let's start by reducing plastic.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。蓮さんと一緒に頑張ります。Ii desu ne. Ren-san to issho ni ganbarimasu.That sounds good. I will do my best with you, Ren.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “environment” translations and entries 環境, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
