界
Meanings
Suffix used to denote a social or professional sphere, such as 芸能界 (show business) or 政界 (political world).
He is famous in the entertainment world.
It is said that connections are necessary to enter the political world.
Taxonomic rank in biology; used in terms like 動物界 (animal kingdom) and 植物界 (plant kingdom).
Living things are sometimes classified into five kingdoms.
erathem (geology)
Geochronologic unit; used in terms like 古生界 (Paleozoic erathem).
The Paleozoic erathem includes strata from about 540 million to 250 million years ago.
Used in physics for a region of influence, e.g., 電界 (electric field) or 磁界 (magnetic field).
Measure the strength of the electric field.
Rare standalone noun meaning a dividing line or limit; more commonly encountered in compounds like 境界 (boundary) or 分界 (division).
The kanji 界 originally meant a boundary.
Usage patterns
- 〈仕事〉界に入るto enter the world of (a profession/field)
He entered the entertainment world when he was young.
- 〈仕事〉界で活躍するto be active/successful in (a professional) world
She is active and successful in the music world.