この世(よ)

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

Similar words

• 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.