Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '세계' means 'world' or 'the globe'. It is used to refer to the entire planet, the global community, or the international stage. It is a common noun used in both formal and informal contexts.
Common Collocations
- 세계 여러 나라 (various countries of the world): used when talking about multiple countries globally.
- 세계 경제 (world economy): refers to the global economic system.
- 세계적인 (world-class, global): an adjective form used to describe something or someone recognized internationally.
Usage Notes
When using '세계', speakers often imply a broad, global scale rather than a local or national one. It is frequently combined with words related to politics, economy, culture, and sports to emphasize international scope.
A common learner mistake is confusing '세계' with '세상', which also means 'world' but is more colloquial and can imply the world as experienced by people or life in general. '세계' is more formal and objective.
Register and Politeness
'세계' is neutral in politeness and can be used in both casual and formal speech without change. However, it is more common in written language, news, and academic contexts.