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N4

Kanji 世: meanings, readings, and example words.

2 min read

Kanji 世: generation, world, society, public

Key takeaways

Kanji 世: generation, world, society, public. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

世
N4

Meaning

generationworldsocietypublic

On reading

セイセソウ

Kun reading

よ

Radical

一

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 世

generation, world, society, public

Kanji structure breakdown

世

Structure breakdown

廿

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

By adding a stroke to the character for twenty (廿), it represents 30 years, which was traditionally considered one 'generation'. These generations continue to follow one another to form the 'world' we live in.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

セイ
  • お世辞おせじ

    flattery / compliment

  • 出世しゅっせ

    promotion / career success

  • 世辞せじ

    flattery / compliment

  • 世帯せたい

    household / family unit

  • 世代せだい

    generation / age group

  • 世論せろん

    public opinion

  • 中世ちゅうせい

    Middle Ages / medieval period

  • 世紀せいき

    century / era

Kun reading

よ
  • 世よ

    world / society / era / generation

  • 世の中よのなか

    society / the world / current times

Commonly used words

  • お世辞
    おせじ

    flattery / compliment

  • 出世
    しゅっせ

    promotion / career success

  • 世辞
    せじ

    flattery / compliment

  • 世帯
    せたい

    household / family unit

  • 世代
    せだい

    generation / age group

  • 世論
    せろん

    public opinion

  • 世
    よ

    world / society / era / generation

  • 世の中
    よのなか

    society / the world / current times

Example sentences

Example 1

あの人はよくお世辞を言う。

Translation

That person often flatters others.

Example 2

お世辞でも嬉しい時がある。

Translation

Sometimes flattery can still be nice to hear.

Example 3

彼は会社で早く出世した。

Translation

He was promoted quickly at the company.

Example 4

出世のために努力を続けている。

Translation

He keeps working hard for career advancement.

Kanji 世: generation, world, society, public | Daily Nihongo