Translation guide
The English word "world" covers many concepts, from the physical planet to a person's social sphere or a particular domain. Japanese uses different words depending on the nuance.
Referring to the physical planet, the globe, or the entire world as a place.
The most common and general word for "world" in the sense of the Earth, the globe, or all countries and people.
世界中を旅したい。
I want to travel around the world.
世界の人口は増え続けている。
The world's population continues to grow.
Specifically the planet Earth, often used in scientific or environmental contexts.
地球は太陽の周りを回っている。
The Earth revolves around the sun.
Referring to a specific area of activity, interest, or experience (e.g., the business world, the art world).
Also used for metaphorical worlds or domains. Often combined with a modifier.
彼はビジネスの世界で成功した。
He succeeded in the business world.
子供の世界は大人とは違う。
A child's world is different from an adult's.
A suffix meaning 'world' or 'circle', used in compounds like 芸能界 (entertainment world) or 科学界 (scientific world).
彼は芸能界で有名だ。
He is famous in the entertainment world.
Referring to the whole of human society, everyone, or public opinion.
Refers to society, the times we live in, or the way of the world. Often used when talking about how society works.
世の中は厳しい。
The world is a tough place.
世の中の役に立ちたい。
I want to be of use to the world (society).
Refers to the public, people in general, or what others think. Often implies social pressure or reputation.
Can also mean 'everyone' or 'all people' in certain contexts, but 世の中 is more natural for societal commentary.
Referring to someone's personal world, their life, circumstances, or inner reality.
Used for personal worlds, often with a possessive or descriptive phrase.
彼女にとって家族がすべての世界だ。
For her, family is her whole world.
彼は自分の世界に閉じこもっている。
He is shut up in his own world.
Used informally to emphasize a large amount, difference, or extent (e.g., 'a world of difference').
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'a world of difference', literally 'a difference like heaven and earth'.
彼の絵と私の絵では天と地ほどの差がある。
There's a world of difference between his paintings and mine.
Another idiom for 'a world of difference', literally 'difference of clouds and mud'.
両者の実力には雲泥の差がある。
There is a world of difference in their abilities.
Used in set phrases about the end of the world or the next world.
Literally 'the end of the world', used in apocalyptic or dramatic contexts.
まるで世界の終わりみたいだ。
It's like the end of the world.
The next world, the afterlife. Not the physical world.
彼はあの世へ旅立った。
He departed for the next world.
世界 (sekai) is the most general 'world' and can be used for the planet, a domain, or a personal world. 世の中 (yo no naka) refers to society, the times, or the way of the world, often with a nuance of how things are. 世間 (seken) is narrower, meaning 'the public' or 'what people think', and often carries a sense of social pressure or reputation.
In many set phrases, a direct translation of 'world' is unnatural. For example, 'the world of sports' is naturally スポーツ界 (supōtsu-kai) or スポーツの世界 (supōtsu no sekai), not just 世界. 'World-famous' is 世界的に有名な (sekaiteki ni yūmei na).
彼は世界的に有名な歌手だ。
He is a world-famous singer.
世界は不思議でいっぱいだ。
The world is full of wonders.
彼は世界を変えたいと思っている。
He wants to change the world.
I'm concerned about what the world (others) thinks.
The whole world is watching.