Japanese word

世界

Pronunciation

Romajisekai

Meaning

  • nounworld

Example

世界にはいろいろな国があります。se kai ni wa i ro i ro na kuni ga a ri ma su

There are many countries in the world.

Illustration for 世界 (world)

More examples

世界には国がたくさんあります。se kai ni wa kuni ga ta ku sa n a ri ma su

There are many countries in the world.

世界には美しい自然がたくさんあります。se kai ni wa utsuku shi i shi zen ga ta ku sa n a ri ma su

There is a lot of beautiful nature in the world.

Core concept

It refers to the broad realm that includes the people, places, and things being considered, from human society to the universe.

Common phrases

  • 世界に広がるse kai ni hiro ga ru

    spread around the world

  • 世界の文化se kai no bun ka

    world culture

  • 世界中の人々se kai jū no hito bito

    people around the world

Similar words

世の中yononaka: The human world viewed as the society and circumstances in which people live.
世間seken: The people and society around a person, often viewed as the public.
社会shakai: Human society viewed as an organized group of people living together.

Definition in Japanese

人々が暮らす社会や、地球を含む宇宙全体など、広い範囲を指す語。hito bito ga ku ra su sha kai ya chi kyū o fuku mu u chū zen tai na do hiro i han i o sa su go

Word origin

世界 (sekai, "world") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 世 (se, "age; world") and 界 (kai, "boundary; realm"), describing a broad realm.

Usage tips

  • A phrase such as 私の世界 (watashi no sekai) uses 世界 (sekai) for a person's familiar sphere or personal outlook.

Other meanings

  • societynoun
  • universenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word