社会科学
shakai kagaku[ɕa̠ka̠i ka̠ɡa̠kɯ̟]
The English phrase "social sciences" is translated into Japanese as 社会科学 (shakai kagaku).
社会科学 is used to refer to the social sciences. Related fields within this category include 政治学 (Political Science), 心理学 (Psychology), 経済学 (Economics) and 人類学 (Anthropology).
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 社会 (shakai) meaning 'society' and 科学 (kagaku) meaning 'science'.
Did you know?
- The word 社会 can also be used to describe the 'corporate world' or 'the workforce'. Saying someone has 'entered 社会' means they have started their first professional job after graduation.
- The word 社会 (shakai) was a newly coined term during the Meiji era to translate Western concepts of 'society' and 'social' that did not exist in the same way in pre-modern Japan.
- In Japanese, 'social sciences' is often grouped under the broader umbrella of 人文社会科学 (jinbun shakai kagaku), which combines 'humanities' and 'social sciences' into one field.
Examples in context
- 社会科学に興味を持っています。I am interested in social sciences.
- ソーシャルサイエンスの研究が面白いですね。Social sciences research is interesting, isn't it?
- 彼は社会科学を専攻しています。Kare wa shakaikagaku o senkou shite imasu.He is majoring in social sciences.
- 社会科学は非常に興味深い学問です。Shakaikagaku wa hijou ni kyoumibukai gakumon desu.Social sciences are a very interesting field of study.
- この本は社会科学に関するものです。Kono hon wa shakaikagaku ni kansuru mono desu.This book is about social sciences.
Example conversation
Two university students are talking about their classes.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは何を勉強しているの？Kenta-san wa nani o benkyou shite iru no?Kenta, what are you studying?
- 健太 Kenta僕は社会科学を学んでいるよ。Boku wa shakaikagaku o manande iru yo.I am studying social sciences.
- 陽葵 Himari社会科学は難しそうだね。Shakaikagaku wa muzukashisou da ne.Social sciences seem difficult.
- 健太 Kenta大変だけど、とても面白いよ。Taihen dakedo, totemo omoshiroi yo.It's tough, but very interesting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 社会科学, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
