How to Say "Society" in Japanese

社会

shakai[ɕa̠ka̠i]

The Japanese word for society is 社会 (shakai).

社会 is used to refer to people of one’s country or community as a whole. It is the standard term used to mean 'society' in most formal contexts.

Meaning: people of one’s country or community as a whole (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

shakai

The word 社会 originally described a religious gathering to offer sacrifices to the god of the earth. It was not a term for people living together until the late 19th century.
A person who has started their professional career is often called a 社会人, which literally means 'society person'.
The character 社 in 社会 is the same character used for 'company' or 'shrine' in Japanese.

人間は社会を形成する。
People form society.
This sentence shows that humans form 社会.
Tatoeba #7556809 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #7556799 by koyakun
日本は高齢化社会です。
Japan is an aged society.
This sentence describes Japan as an aged 社会.
Tatoeba #10610887 by small_snow, translation #10114597 by Amastan
社会ごとに違った習慣がある。
Every society has different customs.
This sentence explains that every 社会 has different customs.
Tatoeba #149228 by KK_kaku_, translation #13539207 by CK
学者たちは、現代社会における人間の関係を研究しています。
Scholars are studying human relationships in modern society.
彼は世間の期待に応えるため、困難に立ち向かっている。
He is facing difficulties to meet society's expectations.
31 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yui and Ren are talking about their future goals after graduation.

蓮 Ren

卒業したら、社会に出るのが不安だよ。
Sotsugyou shitara, shakai ni deru no ga fuan dayo.
I'm anxious about entering society after graduation.
結衣 Yui

大丈夫だよ。社会で役に立つ人間になろう。
Daijoubu dayo. Shakai de yakunitatsu ningen ni narou.
It'll be okay. Let's become people who are useful to society.
蓮 Ren

結衣は理想の社会があるの？
Yui wa risou no shakai ga aru no?
Do you have an ideal society, Yui?
結衣 Yui

みんなが優しく暮らせる社会がいいな。
Minna ga yasashiku kuraseru shakai ga ii na.
I think a society where everyone can live kindly would be great.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏