哲学
tetsugaku[te̞t͡sɨɡa̠kɯ̟]
The Japanese word for philosophy is 哲学 (tetsugaku).
哲学 refers to the academic discipline of philosophy. Similar to English, it can also be used to describe a person's personal guiding principles or their way of life.
Meaning: academic discipline (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 哲, which means wisdom or insight and 学, which means study or learning.
How do you pronounce it?
tetsugaku
Did you know?
- The term 哲学 is a 'wasei' concept, meaning it was developed in Japan and then exported back to other East Asian languages like Chinese and Korean.
- The word 哲学 was not an ancient term but was coined in 1874 by Nishi Amane to translate the English 'philosophy' and Dutch 'filosofie'.
- While 哲学 is the academic term, Japanese people often use the word 考え方 ('way of thinking') to describe a personal philosophy in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- 宗教と哲学の違いは何ですか？What's the difference between religion and philosophy?This sentence is useful for discussing the difference between religion and 哲学.Tatoeba #2941020 by tommy_san, translation #2921288 by AlanF_US
- 私は、大学で哲学を専攻しました。I majored in philosophy in college.This sentence is useful for stating that you majored in 哲学 at a university.Tatoeba #162218 by small_snow, translation #9635102 by CK
- 哲学は６ヶ月で学べるものではない。Philosophy is not a thing one can learn in six months.This sentence is useful for noting that 哲学 is not something that can be learned quickly.Tatoeba #125260 by bunbuku, translation #278733 by CK
- 哲学の専門家として研究しています。I am researching as a specialist in philosophy in a formal or academic context.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking in a university cafe.
- 陽太 Yota結衣さんは大学で何を学んでいますか？Yui-san wa daigaku de nani o manande imasu ka?Yui, what are you studying at university?
- 結衣 Yui私は哲学を学んでいます。Watashi wa tetsugaku o manande imasu.I am studying philosophy.
- 陽太 Yota哲学とは難しい分野ですね。Tetsugaku to wa muzukashii bunya desu ne.Philosophy is a difficult field, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、でもとても面白いですよ。Hai, demo totemo omoshiroi desu yo.Yes, but it is very interesting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “philosophy” translations and entries 哲学, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 哲学, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
