JLPT N3・N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “将来” and “未来”

Table of Contents
1. Difference between “将来”and “未来“
2. 将来
3. 未来
4. Summary
5. Quiz
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “将来“and “未来“?
A: Both refer to “future time,” but there are differences in usage and nuance. Broadly speaking, “将来” is subjective, while “未来” is objective.
将来 (JLPT N4)
A subjective and concrete timeline.
It indicates a time not too far from the present, a time that will surely come, and is often used in the following contexts:
① Referring to personal life matters
[Examples]
将来の夢はサッカー選手です。
My future dream is to become a soccer player.
卒業をしたら将来はパティシエになりたいです。
After I graduate, I want to become a pastry chef in the future.
⇒ When talking about dreams, it refers to several decades or years ahead, which is not too far from the present, making “将来” an appropriate word.
②Talking about future events or plans on a predictable timeline
[Examples]
彼女と将来どうするか考えています。
I’m thinking about what to do with her in the future.
将来はここに大きなビルができます。
In the future, a big building will be built here.
⇒Both examples indicate a time relatively close to the present, based on the present as a reference point.

未来 (JLPT N3)
When dividing the flow of time into three, we have the “past,” “present,” and then what lies beyond, which is the “future.”
This represents an objective and long-term timeline, indicating abstract time that is yet to come.
①When discussing matters related to society as a whole, philosophical topics, or large-scale matters
[Examples]
未来の地球を見てみたいです。
I want to see the Earth in the future.
人類の未来はどうなるのでしょう。
What will the future of humanity be like?
⇒ This refers to an objective, far-off point in time.
②When talking about unknown and unpredictable things
[Examples]
未来から現在に人が来たらどうする?
What would you do if someone came from the future to the present?
未来の地球はどのようになるのでしょう。
I wonder what the Earth will be like in the future.
⇒ These are abstract topics that no one can predict.

Summary
[将来]
- A subjective and concrete timeline.
- It is used to refer to “personal life” or “predictable future events and plans.”
[未来]
- An objective and long-term timeline.
- It is used to refer to “matters concerning society as a whole, philosophical topics, or large-scale issues” as well as “unpredictable and unknown matters.”
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 将来
将来の夢は野球選手です。
My dream is to become a baseball player.
*Since it’s a personal dream, “将来” is the correct answer.
A. 未来
未来は誰にもわからないよ。
No one knows the future.
*Since it’s about something unpredictable, “未来” is the correct answer.
A. 将来
将来は何になりたいですか。
What do you want to become in the future?
*Since it’s a personal dream, “将来” is the correct answer.
A. 未来
未来の世界は平和なのだろうか。
Will the world be peaceful in the future?
*Since it’s about the entire world and something unpredictable, “未来” is the correct answer.
Similar Articles

