この世(よ)

このよ
noun
this world; the present life
1. this world, the present life, the mortal world
The world we live in now, as opposed to the afterlife or a spiritual realm. Often used in literary, philosophical, or emotional contexts.
この世(よ)に永遠(えいえん)はない。
Nothing lasts forever in this world.
この世(よ)で一番(いちばん)大切(たいせつ)なものは何(なん)ですか。
What is the most important thing in this world?
この世(よ)のものとは思(おも)えないほど美(うつく)しい景色(けしき)だった。
The scenery was so beautiful it seemed out of this world.

この世(よ) refers to the present, living world as opposed to the afterlife or a spiritual realm. It carries a literary, philosophical, or emotional tone and is common in proverbs, poetry, and reflective speech.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • この世(よ)のものとは思(おも)えない: otherworldly, unbelievably beautiful
  • この世(よ)の終(お)わり: the end of the world
  • この世(よ)を去(さ)る: to pass away, to leave this world
  • この世(よ)に生(い)きる: to live in this world
  • この世(よ)に生(う)まれる: to be born into this world

CONTRAST:

  • この世(よ): this world (the living world)
  • あの世(よ): the next world (the afterlife)
  • 現世(げんせ): the present world (Buddhist term, more formal)

REGISTER:
Somewhat literary. In everyday conversation, 世界(せかい) (world) or 世(よ)の中(なか) (society, the world at large) is more common.

general
Added 2026.2.7 15:48 · Revised 2026.3.28 13:11
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