世界

せかい

world

JLPT N4

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"世界" primarily means "world" referring to the Earth or the global community. It can also denote a specific social or professional sphere, such as "艺术" (art world) or "商业世界" (business world).

Common Collocations

Usage Notes

When using "世界" to mean the Earth or global community, it often appears with (shàng) to emphasize the global scope. When combined with (jiè), it refers to a specific domain or sector, often professional or social. Avoid confusing "世界" with "世代" (generation) or "界限" (boundary), which have related but distinct meanings.

Register and Tone

"世界" is neutral and widely used in both formal and informal contexts. It is a common noun in everyday speech, media, and academic language.

Example Sentences

There are many different cultures and languages in the world.

She dreams of traveling around the world to experience different lifestyles.

The development of technology has changed our world.

The art world holds this painter in very high regard.

In the business world, competition is very fierce.