Japanese word

世

Pronunciation

Romajiyo

Meaning

  • nounworld

Example

みんなで世を変えます。mi n na de yo o ka e ma su

We will change the world together.

Illustration for 世 (world)

More examples

新しい作品が世に出ます。atara shi i saku hin ga yo ni de ma su

A new work is released to the public.

Core concept

Covers the shared world and the social sphere formed by the people living in it.

Common phrases

  • 世を変えるyo o ka e ru

    change the world

  • 世の中yo no naka

    society

  • この世ko no yo

    this world

Similar words

世界sekai: The world as a whole, including its lands, people, and cultures.
世の中yononaka: The society and circumstances surrounding people in daily life.

Definition in Japanese

人間が暮らす世界。また、そこに成り立つ社会や世間。nin gen ga ku ra su se kai ma ta so ko ni na ri ta tsu sha kai ya se ken

Word origin

The noun 世 (yo, "world") is a native Japanese word recorded in Old Japanese as yo, while 世 is the Chinese character used to write it; its older formation is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • The standalone use of 世 (yo, "world") is more formal than the everyday expressions 世界 (sekai) for the planet and 世の中 (yo no naka) for the surrounding society.

Other meanings

  • societynoun
  • publicnoun

Word lists with this word