世 means “world, generation”

せ · se

Also: society, public

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

よ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

セイ, セ, ソウ

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 3 · 5 strokes

The story

Three decades (十) stacked: a generation, a lifetime, a world. Japan counts eras by imperial reigns: Shōwa, Heisei, Reiwa, each 世 a chapter in the nation's story. The character asks: what will your 世 be remembered for?

Used in 世界 (sekai, world) and 世代 (sedai, generation)

More from Society & Government

• 界 world
• 国 country
• 王 king
• 法 law
• 政 politics
• 民 people
• 族 tribe
• 都 capital
• 市 city
• 町 town
• 村 village
• 会 meeting

Learn 世 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.