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.
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.
Referring to the whole of human society, everyone, or public opinion.
Referring to someone's personal world, their life, circumstances, or inner reality.
Used for personal worlds, often with a possessive or descriptive phrase.
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'.
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.
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.
The world is full of wonders.
The world's population continues to grow.
The Earth revolves around the sun.
He succeeded in the business world.
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).
He is famous in the entertainment world.
Refers to society, the times we live in, or the way of the world. Often used when talking about how society works.
The world is a tough place.
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.
I'm concerned about what the world (others) thinks.
Can also mean 'everyone' or 'all people' in certain contexts, but 世の中 is more natural for societal commentary.
The whole world is watching.
For her, family is her whole world.
He is shut up in his own world.
There's a world of difference between his paintings and mine.
Another idiom for 'a world of difference', literally 'difference of clouds and mud'.
There is a world of difference in their abilities.
It's like the end of the world.
The next world, the afterlife. Not the physical world.
He departed for the next world.
the way the world works
to worry about public appearances
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).
He is a world-famous singer.
He wants to change the world.