世: the kanji for world and generation
世 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means world, generation. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
世 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
世 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 9 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
セイ (sei)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 世紀せいき · seiki | century |
| 二世にせい · nisei | second generation |
| 時世じせい · jisei | the times |
セ (se)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 世界せかい · sekai | world |
| 世話せわ · sewa | care; help |
| 世間せけん · seken | society; the public |
| 出世しゅっせ · shusse | promotion; success in life |
| 世代せだい · sedai | generation |
よ (yo)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 世の中よのなか · yo no naka | the world; society |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- いつもお世話になっております。Itsumo o-sewa ni natte orimasu.Thank you for your continued support.
- 世界中にお客様がいます。Sekaijū ni okyakusama ga imasu.We have customers all over the world.
- 若い世代に人気の商品です。Wakai sedai ni ninki no shōhin desu.It's a product popular with the younger generation.
- 世の中は便利になりました。Yo no naka wa benri ni narimashita.The world has become more convenient.
- 二十一世紀に入って働き方が変わりました。Nijūisseiki ni haitte hatarakikata ga kawarimashita.Ways of working have changed in the 21st century.
- 留守の間、猫の世話をお願いできますか。Rusu no aida, neko no sewa o onegai dekimasu ka.Could you look after my cat while I'm away?
Questions about 世
How many strokes does 世 have?
世 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 世?
The on readings are sei (セイ), se (セ). The kun readings are yo (よ).
What does お世話になっております mean?
It literally means "I am in your care." In business emails and calls it is the standard greeting to clients and partners, much like "Thank you for your continued support."
What JLPT level is 世?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Places and buildings
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 世
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.