界
world · boundary
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of field (田) and mediate (介). Boundary dividing fields.
Symbolism
World, boundary, domain. Represents scope in 'industry' and 'limit'.
Spiritual Meaning
Indicates realms of existence like Buddhism's "Three Worlds" and "Six Paths." "Realm of enlightenment" represents stages of spiritual achievement.
Component Breakdown
field + 介
Words & Expressions
Words written with 界
Four-Character Compounds
三千世界
さんぜんせかい
the whole universe (of a billion worlds) that Buddha enlightened; the whole wide world
三界流転
さんがいるてん
endless cycle of rebirth through the three worlds of past, present, and future existences
法界悋気
ほうかいりんき
being jealous of things that have nothing to do with one; being jealous of others who are in love with each other
Proverbs & Idioms
世界は広いようで狭い
せかいはひろいようでせまい
The world is smaller than it seems
It's a small world; you meet acquaintances in unexpected places
Anime & Manga
Re:ゼロから始める異世界生活
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
A well-known work with 界 in its Japanese title.
この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！
KONOSUBA -God's blessing on this wonderful world!
A well-known work with 界 in its Japanese title.
無職転生 ～異世界行ったら本気だす～
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
A well-known work with 界 in its Japanese title.
境界の彼方
Beyond the Boundary
A well-known work with 界 in its Japanese title.
無職転生Ⅱ ～異世界行ったら本気だす～
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2
A well-known work with 界 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
“world”
“boundary”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 界 mean in Japanese?
界 means world, boundary.
How do you read 界?
On'yomi: カイ (KAI).
How many strokes does 界 have?
界 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 田 (field).
Is 界 a good kanji for a tattoo?
界 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means world, boundary. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.