世界
world
shìjiè
What does 世界 mean?
世界 (shìjiè) means 'world' — the planet, all of humanity, or a particular domain or realm. Used in three main senses: (1) the physical world / globe — 全世界 ('the whole world'), 世界地图 ('world map'); (2) abstract realm or sphere — 动物世界 ('the animal world'), 内心世界 ('inner world'); (3) figurative 'world' as in everyone or everywhere — 世界上 ('in the world'). The word has a Buddhist origin: 世 originally referred to time/generations and 界 to spatial boundaries, together capturing 'the universe of time and space.'
Common related terms: 世界上 (in the world), 全世界 (the whole world), 世界级 (world-class), 第三世界 (the Third World)
Character breakdown
generation; era; world (originally a 30-year span)
boundary; realm; field
Memory hook: 世 (era / time) + 界 (boundary / realm) — all of time and space = the world.
Measure word for 世界
Example sentences
中国是世界上最大的国家之一。
Zhōngguó shì shìjiè shang zuì dà de guójiā zhī yī.
China is one of the largest countries in the world.
neutral
我想去看看这个世界。
Wǒ xiǎng qù kànkan zhège shìjiè.
I want to go see this world.
spoken
世界各地的人都来这儿旅游。
Shìjiè gè dì de rén dōu lái zhèr lǚyóu.
People from all over the world come here to travel.
neutral
全世界都在看这场比赛。
Quán shìjiè dōu zài kàn zhè chǎng bǐsài.
The whole world is watching this match.
neutral
孩子有自己的小世界。
Háizi yǒu zìjǐ de xiǎo shìjiè.
Children have their own little world.
neutral
Common phrases with 世界
Synonyms
全球 ('whole globe') is more commercial / news-register, used for 'global' in business and journalism (全球市场 'global market'). 世界 is the general everyday word.
天下 ('under heaven') is a more literary / classical word for 'the world / the realm.' Used in idioms (天下第一 'best in the world') and historical contexts. 世界 is the modern everyday term.
Don't confuse 世界 with
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