Kanji 世 generation, world, society 現 present, existing, actual Related words 現げん 世せ げんせ is the standard Buddhist term for 'this world' (as opposed to the afterlife), and is more common in everyday religious or philosophical contexts. うつしよ is a literary, often poetic synonym.
この 世よ この世 is the most common and neutral word for 'this world'. うつしよ carries a more classical, literary nuance.
Written forms 現世うつしよ
Most common kanji spelling for うつしよ , but note that 現世 can also be read げんせ (this world) or げんせい (present age).
うつし 世よ
Mixed kanji-kana spelling that makes the reading unambiguous.
現うつ し 世よ
Alternate kanji spelling with okurigana, also unambiguous.
Etymology From うつし (現し , 'real, actual') + 世 (よ , 'world'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used in classical Japanese literature to refer to the tangible, present world.
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