世界
shìjiè/ʂɻ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/
The English phrase 'world' (meaning the inhabited planet) is 世界 (shìjiè) in Chinese.
Meaning: inhabited planet (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 世界 | shìjiè | /ʂɻ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /ʂɻ̩⁵¹ d͡ʑ̥i̯ɛ¹/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) |
|
| 世界 | sè-kài | /se²¹⁻⁴² kai²¹/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, Lukang, Yilan, Kinmen, Jinjiang, Philippines, Penang, Singapore, Sinological IPA, Wanhua, Hsinchu, Wuqi, Taitung, Magong) /se²¹⁻⁴⁴ kai²¹/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, Lukang, Yilan, Kinmen, Jinjiang, Philippines, Penang, Singapore, Sinological IPA, Wanhua, Hsinchu, Wuqi, Taitung, Magong) |
Hokkien |
世界 refers to the world or the inhabited planet. Depending on the context and desired nuance, other terms may be used: 宇宙 is a formal term that primarily means universe but also illustrates the idea of the world as a vast cosmic entity, while 万象 is a formal term referring to the universe or all things in existence. 天下 means all under heaven or the entire world and 四海 literally translates to four seas and is used metaphorically to represent all directions of the world.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 世界 is used in Hokkien.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is sè-kài.
Did you know?
- The modern word 世界 was actually re-imported into Chinese from Japanese sekai in the nineteenth century.
- The term 万象 refers to the world as a collection of 'ten thousand phenomena' or all existing things.
Examples in context
- 世界真美好。The world is beautiful.This sentence uses 世界 to describe the beauty of the world.Tatoeba #9155257 by shou, translation #8898987 by Adelpa
- 我是世界公民。I'm a citizen of the world.This sentence uses 世界 to describe a citizen of the world.Tatoeba #2007054 by sadhen, translation #1313351 by CM
- 世界依賴台灣。The world depends on Taiwan.This sentence uses 世界 to show how the world depends on Taiwan.Tatoeba #13259731 by mimosawang, translation #13247884 by Lumi
- 世界经济 (shì jiè jīng jì)The world economy
- 天下大同 (tiān xià dà tóng)World peace
- 四海一家 (sì hǎi yī jiā)International support and togetherness
- 293 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their dream to travel together.
- 梓涵 Zihan我想去看看這個世界。Wǒ xiǎng qù kàn kàn zhè ge shì jiè.I want to go see the world.
- 俊杰 Junjie我們一起去吧，梓涵。Wǒ men yì qǐ qù ba, Zǐ hán.Let's go together, Zihan.
- 梓涵 Zihan世界這麼大，我們要去哪裡？Shì jiè zhè me dà, wǒ men yào qù nǎ lǐ?The world is so big, where should we go?
- 俊杰 Junjie我想先去歐洲。Wǒ xiǎng xiān qù Ōu zhōu.I want to go to Europe first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “world” translations and entries 世界, 世界, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 世界, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
