世界

• Pinyin: shì jiè
• Hanzi breakdown: 世 = pictograph of three decades; 界 = 田 (field) + 介 (between)

Meaning

World; the earth and all its peoples. One of the most fundamental nouns for referring to the global community or the physical world.

Used broadly in everyday speech, news, and academic contexts. Can refer to the physical world, the human world, or an abstract domain (e.g. 音乐的世界 'the world of music'). Extremely common in compound words.

Examples

1. 世界上有很多不同的文化。 There are many different cultures in the world.
2. 他想去世界各地旅行。 He wants to travel all over the world.
3. 这是世界上最高的山。 This is the tallest mountain in the world.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, news, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 全世界的人都喜欢音乐。(People all over the world love music.)
• 我想了解这个世界。(I want to understand this world.)

Don't Say

• 我的世界很小，只有我的房间。(Avoid using 世界 for a literal small space — use 空间 or 地方 instead. 世界 implies a broad scope.)

Origin & History

Originally a Buddhist term: 世 meant 'lifetime/era' and 界 meant 'realm/boundary'. Together they referred to the universe of space and time, later narrowing to mean the physical world.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal