Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
世界 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
世界
shìjiè
world
HSK 3, n, 14 strokes, rank #301, Medium
shìjiè(shi4jie4)shi jie T4
1world
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
世界shìjiè(shi4jie4)
The term '世界' (shìjiè) translates to 'world' in English. It refers to the Earth and all its inhabitants, as well as the broader concept of existence or the universe. In everyday contexts, it can describe different aspects of life, society, and global matters.
Strokes14Frequency#301DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '世界' often ties into discussions about harmony and balance in the universe, reflecting traditional views on coexistence among different cultures and societies. It is common to hear phrases like '和谐世界' (harmonious world) in social discourse.
Memory tip
Imagine a giant globe (世界) that represents the entire world. The character '世' (shì) looks like a person standing on a platform, symbolizing life on Earth, while '界' (jiè) has a fence-like structure, indicating boundaries or divisions within the world.
Meanings of 世界
shìjiè(shi4jie4)
1world
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 世界 means.
About 世界
世界Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#301Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 世界
Podcast: 世界
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 世界
Quick Contrast
地球 (dìqiú) refers specifically to the planet Earth, while 世界 (shìjiè) encompasses a broader concept including human society and existence.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone; '世界' must be pronounced with the correct fourth tones to avoid confusion. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts but may appear more frequently in discussions about global issues or cultures. Common collocations include '世界和平' (world peace) and '世界历史' (world history).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, '世界' connects to other vocabulary related to geography and global affairs. Students should focus on using it in phrases and sentences to enhance their understanding of its application in various contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '世界' with '世代' (shìdài), which means 'generation'. For instance, saying '我来自世界' (I come from the world) is incorrect; it should be '我来自这个世界' (I come from this world).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 世界
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 世界, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 世界 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 世界?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 世界 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The term '世界' (shìjiè) translates to 'world' in English. It refers to the Earth and all its inhabitants, as well as the broader concept of existence or the universe. In everyday contexts, it can describe different aspects of life, society, and global matters.
When to use 世界
Be careful with the tone; '世界' must be pronounced with the correct fourth tones to avoid confusion. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts but may appear more frequently in discussions about global issues or cultures. Common collocations include '世界和平' (world peace) and '世界历史' (world history).
世界 or something close to it
地球 (dìqiú) refers specifically to the planet Earth, while 世界 (shìjiè) encompasses a broader concept including human society and existence.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '世界' with '世代' (shìdài), which means 'generation'. For instance, saying '我来自世界' (I come from the world) is incorrect; it should be '我来自这个世界' (I come from this world).
Write 世界
世
界
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 世界 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 世界
世界 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
