TOPIK · Level 66
15 words
Korean word
세상
Pronunciation
Romanizationsesang
Meaning
- nounworld
Example
요즘 세상은 많이 변했다.yo jeum se sang eun ma ni pyeon haet tta
These days, the world has changed a lot.
More examples
인터넷 때문에 세상이 더 가까워졌다.in teo net ttae mu ne se sang i teo ka kka wo jeot tta
The internet has brought the world closer.
Core concept
The shared world of people, including their everyday lives, society, and surrounding circumstances.
Common phrases
세상에 알려지다se sang e al lyeo ji da
become known to the world
세상이 넓다se sang i neol tta
the world is wide
세상이 복잡하다se sang i pok jja pa da
the world is complex
Similar words
세계segye: Earth, its countries, and its peoples make up a single global whole.
사회sahoe: Living together involves shared rules, social roles, and organized systems.
생활saenghwal: Daily living consists of familiar activities such as meals, sleep, work, and chores.
인생insaeng: One person's life follows a course from birth through many experiences and choices.
Definition in Korean
사람들이 살고 있는 사회나 생활 전반, 또는 그에 관련된 사정이나 상태를 가리키는 말sa ram deu ri sal go in neun sa hoe na saeng hwal cheon ban tto neun keu e kwal lyeon doen sa jeong i na sang tae reul ka ri ki neun mal
Word origin
세상 (sesang, "the human world") combines 세 (se, "world or generation") and 상 (sang, "above") in a Sino-Korean formation for the world people live in.
Usage tips
- English speakers may first picture a planet when they hear world, but this word often brings people, daily life, and society into focus.
Other meanings
- societynoun
Opposites
- 저승cheoseungthe afterlifenoun
Related words
- 세상물정sesangmuljeongworldly wisdomnoun
- 세상적sesangjeokworldlyadjective