noun
world of suffering; this world of pain
Buddhist term for the earthly realm, characterized by suffering and delusion. Often used in religious or literary contexts.
仏教では、この世を苦界と見なすことがある。
In Buddhism, this world is sometimes regarded as a world of suffering.
noun
life of prostitution; the demimonde
Historical euphemism for the world of prostitution, especially in the Edo period. Now rare and literary.
江戸時代の遊女は苦界に身を沈めたと言われた。
It was said that courtesans in the Edo period sank into a life of prostitution.