A1 noun Neutral #3,116 most common

環境

kankyō kaŋkʲoː

Kankyou refers to the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. It can describe the natural world (the environment) or specific social/physical settings like home, school, or work.

Examples

3 of 5
1

新しい環境に早く慣れたいです。

I want to get used to the new environment quickly.

2

地球の自然環境を守るべきです。

We should protect the Earth's natural environment.

3

ここ、勉強する環境じゃないよ。

This isn't a good environment for studying, you know.

Word Family

Noun
環境
Adverb
環境的に
Adjective
環境的な
Related
環境学
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the kanji: 環 (kan) means 'circle/surround' and 境 (kyou) means 'boundary'. It is the boundary that circles around you.

Quick Quiz

地球の( )を守るために、ゴミを減らしましょう。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 環境

Examples

1

新しい環境に早く慣れたいです。

everyday

I want to get used to the new environment quickly.

2

地球の自然環境を守るべきです。

formal

We should protect the Earth's natural environment.

3

ここ、勉強する環境じゃないよ。

informal

This isn't a good environment for studying, you know.

4

家庭環境は子供の発育に大きな影響を与えます。

academic

The home environment has a major influence on a child's development.

5

弊社は働きやすい労働環境を整えています。

business

Our company is providing a comfortable working environment.

Word Family

Noun
環境
Adverb
環境的に
Adjective
環境的な
Related
環境学

Common Collocations

環境に優しい environmentally friendly
環境を守る to protect the environment
生活環境 living environment
環境問題 environmental issues
環境の変化 change in environment

Common Phrases

環境に慣れる

to get used to one's surroundings

環境を整える

to prepare or set up an environment

環境適応

adaptation to the environment

Often Confused With

環境 vs 状況

Joukyou refers to a specific 'situation' or 'state of affairs' at a point in time, while kankyou refers to the broader surroundings or conditions.

環境 vs 周り

Mawari usually refers to literal physical space or people nearby, while kankyou is more abstract and includes conditions/influence.

📝

Usage Notes

Kankyou is a versatile word used for both the 'green' environment (nature) and the 'contextual' environment (work, home). In A1/A2 levels, it often appears in phrases about moving to a new city or starting a new job.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Don't use kankyou to mean 'circumstances' in a legal or excuse-making sense; use 'jijou' or 'joukyou' instead.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the kanji: 環 (kan) means 'circle/surround' and 境 (kyou) means 'boundary'. It is the boundary that circles around you.

📖

Word Origin

A compound word from Middle Chinese: 'kan' (to encircle) + 'kyou' (border/area).

Grammar Patterns

Noun + に慣れる (get used to the environment) Noun + に優しい (friendly to the environment) Noun + を守る (protect the environment)
🌍

Cultural Context

In Japan, 'environmentally friendly' (kankyou ni yasashii) is a very common marketing term found on many products.

Quick Quiz

地球の( )を守るために、ゴミを減らしましょう。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 環境

Related Words

発着

A1

Refers to the act of departing and arriving, specifically used for vehicles like trains, buses, and airplanes at a specific terminal or station. It combines the kanji for 'start/emit' (発) and 'arrive/wear' (着) to describe the full cycle of transport movement.

下車

A1

The act of getting off or alighting from a vehicle such as a train, bus, or car. It is a formal Sino-Japanese compound used in announcements and written signs, whereas 'oriru' is used in daily speech.

航空券

A1

An airline ticket or electronic document issued by an airline or travel agency that entitles the bearer to a seat on a flight. It serves as proof of purchase and is required to receive a boarding pass at the airport.

芸術

A1

Art refers to the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. It encompasses a wide range of human activities and products, including music, literature, and performance.

美術

A1

Bijutsu refers specifically to the fine arts, particularly visual arts such as painting, sculpture, and calligraphy. It is the standard term used to describe art as a school subject or the collection of works found in a gallery.

絵画

A1

Kaiga refers to a painting or a pictorial work of art. It is a formal term often used to describe works found in museums or galleries, as opposed to casual sketches or photographs.

彫刻

A1

A three-dimensional work of art created by shaping or combining materials such as stone, wood, metal, or clay. It refers both to the finished object (a sculpture) and the artistic process of carving or modeling.

工芸

A1

Kōgei refers to the art of creating functional and decorative objects through skilled manual labor and craftsmanship. It typically bridges the gap between fine art and practical utility, often involving materials like wood, clay, lacquer, or metal.

陶芸

A1

The art or craft of making pottery and ceramics by shaping clay and firing it at high temperatures. It encompasses both the creative process and the resulting artistic pieces used in daily life or exhibitions.

書道

A1

The Japanese art of calligraphy, often performed with a brush and ink. It is considered a path to spiritual refinement and artistic expression through the stylized writing of characters.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free