ChiramiN4 kanji · 5 strokes
世 means generation, world
世
世Real origin
It began as three tens joined together: thirty years, one generation.
Real origin: where the kanji comes from, as far as scholars agree.
Meaning and readings
- Meanings
- generation, world, society, public
- JLPT level
- N4
- Strokes
- 5
- School grade
- Grade 3 in Japan
Japanese (kunyomi) よ yo
よ (yo) is the Japanese word for this kanji. You use it when the kanji stands alone or has kana after it. Dictionaries call this the kun reading.
From Chinese (onyomi) セイ sei
セイ (sei) came from Chinese with the character. You mostly hear it in words made of several kanji. Dictionaries call this the on reading.
Other readings from Chinese: セ se, ソウ sou
Tap a reading to see when it's used. Why kanji have two kinds of reading: onyomi vs kunyomi.
Common word
世代 せだい · sedai
generation
Built from
- 一 one
- 丨 a line
Quick check
What does 世 mean?
Right: 世 means generation, world.Not quite: 世 means generation, world.In 世代, which reading does 世 use?
Right. 世代 is read せだい (sedai): 世 takes セ, its reading from Chinese.Not quite. 世代 is read せだい (sedai): 世 takes セ, its reading from Chinese.