generation, world, society, public
世 centers on the span of human life and the shared space people inhabit across time: a generation, the world, society, and the public realm.
the world; society; the universe
generation
century
world; society; public
society; the world; the times
around the world; throughout the world
world; society; people; the public
Middle Ages (in Japan esp. the Kamakura and Muromachi periods); medieval times; mediaeval times
best in the world
household; family
care; looking after; help; assistance; aid
success in life; getting ahead; successful career; promotion; climbing the corporate ladder; eminence
public opinion; popular voice; public sentiment; consensus
posterity; future generations; future life
saviour; savior; messiah
the other world; the next world; the world beyond; world after death
heredity; heritage
ukiyo-e; ukiyoe; Edo-period woodblock print
recent past; recent times
social conditions; phase of life; (sign of) the times; state of society
sponsor; manager; caretaker
generation; lifetime
World Bank
to receive favor; to receive assistance; to receive help; to be looked after; to be taken care of; to become dependent (on); to become much obliged (to someone); to become indebted
世 is traditionally explained as a derivative of 卅 (thirty), representing a thirty-year span as one generation. The modern form retains the basic stroke layout of three tens joined.
The shape looks like three tens (十十十) linked together, suggesting a span of thirty years—one generation. From one generation comes the wider world and society.
For セイ, imagine a generation saying 'say' to pass wisdom to the next: say -> セイ, as one generation speaks to the world.