JLPT N3・N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “風景” and “景色”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “風景” and “景色“
2. 風景
3. 景色
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “風景” and “景色“?
A: Both “風景” and “景色” refer to “views” or “scenery,” but there are subtle differences in the situations where they are used and in the meanings they convey.
風景 (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
① A view that spreads out in front of you
② The appearance or atmosphere of a scene or situation
[Examples]
窓から見える風景が美しくて、何枚も写真を撮りました。（①）
The view from the window was so beautiful that I took many photos.
動物たちが駆け回っている風景は、絵本の1ページのようです。（②）
The scene of animals running around looks like a page from a picture book.
“風景” is a word that refers not only to nature but to the appreciation of all kinds of views.
[Examples]
山頂からの風景を絵に描きました。
I painted the landscape I saw from the mountaintop.
目の前に広がる風景は、すばらしいものでした。
The scenery spreading out before my eyes was truly magnificent.
This word is also often used in metaphorical or descriptive contexts.
In such cases, it carries the nuance of portraying the overall image of a situation or the atmosphere of a particular scene.
[Examples]
電車の中で多くの人がスマホを見る姿は、現代を象徴する風景の一つです。
The sight of many people staring at their smartphones on the train is one of the symbolic scenes of modern life.
日本の通勤風景は、見るだけで疲れます。
The commuting scene in Japan is exhausting just to look at.
景色 (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
A word that mainly refers to natural views or scenery.
[Examples]
電車の窓から見える景色が美しいです。
The view from the train window is beautiful.
景色のいいところで、お弁当を食べよう。
Let’s have lunch in a place with a nice view.
The word “景色” refers to natural views and scenery, including elements such as cityscapes and buildings as part of the overall natural environment.
In other words, it primarily expresses the appreciation of natural landscapes.
[Examples]
山頂から見える景色は、まるで違う世界のようです。
The view from the mountaintop looks like a completely different world.
初めの頃は高いビルに驚いたけど、今では都会の景色にもすっかり慣れたよ。
At first, I was surprised by the tall buildings, but now I’ve completely gotten used to the cityscape.
Let’s Compare
“景色” mainly refers to natural views, while “風景” can refer to all types of scenes. Therefore, when describing natural scenery, the two words are often interchangeable.
[Examples]
〇窓から見える風景が美しくて、何枚も写真を撮りました。
The view from the window was so beautiful that I took many photos.
〇窓から見える景色が美しくて、何枚も写真を撮りました。
The scenery from the window was so beautiful that I took many photos.
On the other hand, “風景” is often used in metaphorical or atmospheric descriptions. In such cases—when referring to the overall image or mood of a situation—”景色” cannot be used as a substitute.
[Examples]
× 日本の通勤景色は、見るだけで疲れます。
〇日本の通勤風景は、見るだけで疲れます。
The commuting scene in Japan is exhausting just to look at.
Now, which of the following sentences sounds more natural?
[Examples]
①この風景画は日本人によって描かれたものです。
②この景色画は日本人によって描かれたものです。
The correct answer is ①.
“風景” has a strong connotation of realistic depiction and is often used in contexts such as photography and painting for purposes of documentation or visual representation.
[Examples]
〇 この写真家はよく風景を撮るそうです。
〇 I heard that this photographer often takes pictures of landscapes.
△ この写真家はよく景色を撮るそうです。
△ I heard that this photographer often takes pictures of scenery.
Summary
[景色]
- Refers to the appreciation of natural views, including not only nature but also elements like cityscapes and buildings as part of the broader natural environment.
[風景]
- Not limited to nature, this term refers to the appreciation of all types of views.
- It is also commonly used in metaphorical and atmospheric descriptions, carrying the nuance of depicting the overall image or mood of a situation or scene.
- It often has a realistic or documentary quality and is frequently used in the context of photography or painting to represent descriptive or record-like expressions.
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. どちらでもいい
きれいな景色を見るだけで、元気になるね。
きれいな風景を見るだけで、元気になるね。
Just looking at the beautiful scenery makes me feel better.
Just looking at the beautiful landscape makes me feel better.
*Since it refers to a natural view, both are appropriate.
A. 風景
田舎で見た、農作業に励む人たちの風景が、今でも心に残っています。
The scene of people working hard on the farm in the countryside still stays in my heart.
*This describes the overall scene and atmosphere of people working busily, so “風景” is the more suitable expression.
A. 風景
絵が好きで、特に風景画が一番好きです。
I love paintings, and landscape paintings are my favorite.
*As a genre of art, “landscape painting” is standard. “風景画” sounds unnatural.
A. どちらでもいい
あの山から見える景色は特別だよ。
あの山から見える風景は特別だよ。
The scenery from that mountain is something special.
The landscape from that mountain is something special.
*Since it refers to a natural view, both are appropriate.
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