世界中
sekaijū
The Japanese phrase for "around the world" is 世界中, pronounced sekaijū.
世界中 is used to describe something being in or moving to every part of the entire world. It can be used to describe people or things that are spread across the globe, or the act of traveling throughout the world.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the noun 世界 (world) and the suffix 中 (jū), which means "inside", "middle" or "throughout". When attached to a noun like "world", this suffix functions to mean "all over" or "throughout".
Which one should you use?
世界中 refers to the concept of the entire world or being everywhere on Earth.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase often changes depending on the particle used to indicate its role in a sentence. When you are describing movement through or across the world, such as traveling, use the particle を (o) after 世界中. To express that something is spread or exists throughout the world, you often add the particle に (ni) to the end of the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
sekaijū
Did you know?
- The word 世界 was originally a translation of Buddhist terminology. It reflects the ancient Indian concept of 'loka' (world) and 'kalpa' (aeon).
- The word 世界 (world) actually combines two different concepts: 世 represents time and 界 represents space. Together they describe the universe as a totality of time and space.
- In Japanese, the character 中 can be read as naka or jū. In 世界中, using the jū reading is what transforms the meaning from 'inside the world' to 'throughout the world'.
Examples in context
- 彼は世界中を旅した。He traveled around the world.This sentence shows how to use 世界中 to express movement through the world.Tatoeba #103411 by KK_kaku_, translation #300270 by CK
- サッカーは世界中に広まった。Football spread around the world.This sentence illustrates using 世界中 to show something has spread across the world.Tatoeba #11809255 by small_snow, translation #10520341 by sundown
- 世界中の多くの学生が英語を学んでいる。A lot of students around the world are studying English.This sentence demonstrates how to describe people existing in many places around the world.Tatoeba #143377 by bunbuku, translation #271190 by CK
- 私は世界の旅をすることが夢です。I dream of traveling around the world.
- 夏休みには友達と世界を回る予定です！I have plans to travel around the world with friends during summer vacation!
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a news report on the internet.
- 美咲 Misakiこのニュースが世界中で話題だよ。Kono nyūsu ga sekaijū de wadai dayo.This news is being talked about around the world.
- 健太 Kenta本当に？そんなにすごいニュースなの？Hontō ni? Sonna ni sugoi nyūsu nano?Really? Is it such a big news story?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、世界中の人が注目しているみたい。Un, sekaijū no hito ga chūmoku shite iru mitai.Yeah, it seems people around the world are paying attention.
- 健太 Kenta気になるし、僕も読んでみるよ。Ki ni naru shi, boku mo yonde miru yo.I'm curious, so I'll read it too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
