world / generation
N4- Onyomi
- セ・セイ
- Kunyomi
- よ
- Stroke count
- 5
- JLPT
- N4
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 世 down and you get 廿 (twenty) — two tens fused side by side under a single bar. Picture an abacus with beads slid along its rods, put 世 inside it, and let that scene stand for "world" — world / generation. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 5
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は5画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 5 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
世話
sewa
care
世界
sekai
world
世襲
seshuu
hereditary succession
世話する
sewasuru
to do care
世襲した
seshuushita
plain past: did hereditary succession
世襲する
seshuusuru
to do hereditary succession
Example sentences (3)
犬の世話は私の仕事です。
いぬ の せわ は わたし の しごと です。
inu no sewa wa watashi no shigoto desu.
Taking care of the dog is my job.
先輩にはいつもお世話になっています。
せんぱい に は いつも おせわ に なって います。
senpai ni wa itsumo osewa ni natte imasu.
My senior colleague always looks after me.
この製品は世界中で売られています。
この せいひん は せかいじゅう で うられています。
kono seihin wa sekaijuu de urareteimasu.
This product is sold all over the world.