세계
segye[ˈsʰe̞(ː)ɡje̞]
The English word "world" is translated into Korean as 세계 (segye).
세계 refers to the world in a geopolitical, global or scientific sense, such as referring to international affairs or the global community. You can turn this noun into an adjective meaning "global" or "worldwide" by adding the suffix –적 to form 세계적.
Meaning: inhabited planet (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 세계 is used for global or scientific contexts, the word 세상 is used to refer to the world in a more abstract, human or social sense, such as when saying "the world is a big place."
How do you pronounce it?
segye
Did you know?
- The characters used in 세계 originally come from Buddhist terminology, where they described the 'threefold worlds' of wayward beings and heavens.
- The term 세계 is used in Korea to discuss 'the global community', whereas 지구 is the specific term used when discussing the physical planet 'Earth' in a geographical sense.
- If you are talking about 'the world of fashion' or 'the world of music', Korean speakers typically use ~의 세계 to treat the field as a distinct sphere of existence.
Examples in context
- 축구는 세계 제일의 스포츠야!Soccer is the best sport of the world!This sentence uses 세계 to describe something that is the best in the world.Tatoeba #13250312 by qiwiwi, translation #10735533 by omniglotman
- 세계는 너를 중심으로 돌아가지 않는다.The world doesn't revolve around you.This sentence uses 세계 to say the world does not revolve around a person.Tatoeba #6305432 by Queserasera, translation #2101 by CK
- 우리 할아버지는 제2차 세계 대전 때 돌아가셨다.My grandfather was killed in World War II.This sentence uses 세계 as part of the term for World War II.Tatoeba #11105546 by intertime, translation #251348 by CK
- 지구 환경을 보호합시다.Let's protect the environment of the world.
- 세상에는 아름다운 곳이 많아요.There are many beautiful places in the world.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are talking about traveling abroad.
- 수빈 Su-bin세계 곳곳을 여행하고 싶어요.segye gotgot-eul yeohaenghago sipeoyo.I want to travel to various parts of the world.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨는 정말 꿈이 크네요!Subin ssi-neun jeongmal kkumi keuneyo!Subin, you really have big dreams!
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨도 넓은 세계를 경험해 보세요.Hyunwoo ssi-do neolbeun segye-reul gyeongheomhae boseyo.Hyunwoo, you should experience the wide world too.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 저도 꼭 도전해 볼게요.Ne, jeodo kkok dojeonhae bolgeyo.Yes, I will definitely give it a try.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “world” translations and entries 세계, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 세계, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
