What's the difference between 世間{せけん} and 世界{せかい}?


Both `世間{せけん}` and `世界{せかい}` seem to mean "world" in the sense of "a sphere of
human activity or interest", or "a particular way of life", and that sort of
thing. (As opposed to `地球{ちきゅう}`, the literal globe of a planet we live on.)

What is the difference between them, though?

_**Bonus question:_** When looking up the above words, I came across this odd
variant: `浮世{うきよ}`, which also means "world", but also means "this fleeting
life". It conveys the temporariness of being in this world. Is it
interchangeable to any degree with the above words, or is it strictly poetic
and reserved for flowery ruminations?




In my feeling, those sound quite different.

世間 : the Japanese society.

ex. "世間の常識" = common sense of our society.

世界 : the whole world on the globe. Particularly outside of Japan.

ex. "世界のニュース" = international news. "世界一周" = a round-the-world trip.

In short, "世間" sounds like more local stuff.

> is it (浮世｛うきよ｝) strictly poetic and reserved for flowery ruminations?

Yes I think so. Never used in daily life.




In my feeling, those sound quite different.

世間 : the Japanese society.

ex. "世間の常識" = common sense of our society.

世界 : the whole world on the globe. Particularly outside of Japan.

ex. "世界のニュース" = international news. "世界一周" = a round-the-world trip.

In short, "世間" sounds like more local stuff.

> is it (浮世｛うきよ｝) strictly poetic and reserved for flowery ruminations?

Yes I think so. Never used in daily life.

