JLPT N5
Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
セイ、セ
Meaning
World, generation, society
Stroke Count
5 strokes
Examples

世界

📝 How to Remember

With 5 strokes, 「世」is easy to write once you learn the stroke order. Practice writing it 5 times daily until it becomes automatic.

⚠️ Teacher's NoteOn-yomi vs Kun-yomi

「世」has both On-yomi (セイ、セ) and Kun-yomi (よ). On-yomi is typically used in compound words (two kanji together), while Kun-yomi appears when the kanji stands alone or with hiragana.

🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested

もんだい1 (Kanji Reading) & もんだい2 (Kanji Writing)

「世」typically appears in もんだい1, where you choose the correct reading, and もんだい2, where you choose the correct kanji for a hiragana word. Make sure you can recognize it both ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you read the kanji 「世」?+
On-yomi: セイ、セ. Kun-yomi: よ.
What does 「世」mean in Japanese?+
「世」means "World, generation, society". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「世」have?+
「世」is written with 5 strokes.
Is 「世」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「世」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Can you give an example sentence using 「世」?+
Yes: 世界. Practicing kanji in context is one of the most effective ways to remember them.