Readings: セイ, セ (Onyomi), よ, よの (Kunyomi)
Meaning: world, generation, age, society
The kanji 世 is a pictograph representing three generations of lines (past, present, future) or a depiction of connected generations. It signifies the flow of time and human lineage, leading to meanings like “world,” “generation,” and “age.”
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 世 has 5 strokes. It begins with a short horizontal stroke at the top (1), followed by a long vertical stroke descending through its center (2). Next, a middle horizontal stroke is drawn from left to right, crossing the vertical (3). Then, a shorter vertical stroke connects the middle horizontal to the bottom right (4), and finally, a long horizontal stroke closes the bottom (5).
Kanji Details
| Radical | 一 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- セイ (sei)
- セ (se)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- よ (yo)
- よの (yono)
Common Words Using 世
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 世界 | せかい | world |
| 世紀 | せいき | century |
| 世論 | せろん | public opinion |
| 世話 | せわ | care, looking after |
| 世帯 | せたい | household |
| 世代 | せだい | generation |
| 世辞 | せじ | compliment, flattery |
| 世間 | せけん | world, society |
| 世相 | せそう | conditions of the times |
| 世襲 | せしゅう | heredity, succession |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 世 | よ | world, generation, age |
| 世の中 | よのなか | the world, society |
| この世 | このよ | this world, this life |
| あの世 | あのよ | the other world, afterlife |
| 人の世 | ひとのよ | human world, human life |
| 浮世絵 | うきよえ | Ukiyo-e (woodblock print) |
| 世継ぎ | よつぎ | heir, successor |
| 世渡り | よわたり | making one’s way in the world |
| 世知 | よち | worldly wisdom |
| 千代 | ちよ | a thousand generations (often used poetically) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 世界は広い。
Kana: せかいはひろい。
Romaji: Sekai wa hiroi.
English: The world is wide.
Japanese: ２１世紀になりました。
Kana: にじゅういっせいきになりました。
Romaji: Nijūisseiki ni narimashita.
English: It’s the 21st century now.
Japanese: お世話になります。
Kana: おせわになります。
Romaji: Osewa ni narimasu.
English: Thank you for your continued support.
Japanese: 世の中は複雑だ。
Kana: よのなかはふくざつだ。
Romaji: Yononaka wa fukuzatsu da.
English: The world is complicated.
Japanese: 彼は新しい世代のリーダーです。
Kana: かれはあたらしいせだいのリーダーです。
Romaji: Kare wa atarashii sedai no riidā desu.
English: He is a leader of the new generation.
Japanese: 子供の世話は大変です。
Kana: こどものせわはたいへんです。
Romaji: Kodomo no sewa wa taihen desu.
English: Taking care of children is tough.
Japanese: 世間話をしましょう。
Kana: せけんばなしをしましょう。
Romaji: Sekenbanashi o shimashō.
English: Let’s have a casual chat.
Japanese: この世に生まれてよかった。
Kana: このよにうまれてよかった。
Romaji: Kono yo ni umarete yokatta.
English: I’m glad to have been born into this world.
Japanese: 彼の意見は世論を反映している。
Kana: かれのいけんはせろんをはんえいしている。
Romaji: Kare no iken wa seron o han’ei shite iru.
English: His opinion reflects public opinion.
Japanese: 浮世絵は日本の伝統的な絵画です。
Kana: うきよえはにほんのでんとうてきなかいがです。
Romaji: Ukiyoe wa Nihon no dentōteki na kaiga desu.
English: Ukiyo-e is a traditional Japanese painting.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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