Watching TV shows and movies in a foreign language you’re learning is a great way to practice your listening comprehension skills.<\/p>\n
Unlike audio created specifically for learning, they feature people speaking at normal speeds and usually in a colloquial manner.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, you can sometimes run into odd expressions that aren’t used so much in real life<\/p>\n
If you’ve tried watching anime based on this, you’ve probably run into this problem before.<\/p>\n
Indeed, there are a whole host of uncommon Japanese words<\/a><\/strong> to learn when it comes to anime fandom.<\/p>\n Sometimes these words are not just used in a particular show, but define whole genres or subgenres.<\/p>\n In this post, we’ll examine 異世界 (いせかい) and look at its definition and examples of use.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 異世界 is a noun that translates literally as “different world.” You might also see this term translated as “parallel universe,” “another world” or “other world.”<\/strong><\/p>\n You probably won’t run into people using 異世界 in daily life. The term is most commonly used in anime, manga and light novels with a science fiction or fantasy focus, as well as video games based on those things.<\/strong><\/p>\n “Other worlds” of the 異世界 variety are more likely to be fantasy-inspired and feature dragons, elves and other mainstays of fantastic fiction.<\/strong><\/p>\n In a science fiction setting, however, the “parallel universe” translation implying a stronger similarity to our own universe might be more accurate.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although there are three kanji<\/a><\/strong> in 異世界, the term is essentially made up of two words.<\/p>\n In this context the first kanji, 異, means “different,” although it can also imply “unusual” and a few other things.<\/p>\n You’re more likely to see this kanji in words like 異なる （ことなる), meaning “to differ” or 小異 (しょうい) meaning “minor differences.”<\/p>\n The second and third kanji together, 世界, mean “the world.” This is a pretty common word that should be familiar to most students of Japanese<\/a>.<\/p>\n It’s worth noting that 世界 can also be used to mean “society” or a grouping of people, but in this context it definitely means world.<\/p>\n Putting these kanji together gets you 異世界, or “a different world.”<\/p>\n How do you pronounce 異世界?<\/p>\n Many kanji have different pronunciations depending on the word they are used in, and the 異 in 異世界 is no exception.<\/p>\n As noted above, when 異 is in the word for “to differ” its pronunciation is こと. This is the “kun yomi” or native Japanese reading for this kanji<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n When combined with 世界, however, 異 uses the “on yomi” or Chinese reading, which is い.<\/p>\n 世界 is always pronounced as せかい, so our pronunciation for this word is いせかい.<\/p>\n For rough pronunciation guidelines, consult the list below:<\/p>\n い – “i” as in “imp” Examples<\/p>\n 「異世界のアニメは面白いですね。」<\/p>\n “Anime that take place in another world are interesting, huh?”<\/p>\n 「異世界に転生したいなあ。。。」<\/p>\n “I want to be reincarnated in another world…”<\/p>\n As is probably obvious, this is not a word you’re likely to need in casual conversation.<\/p>\n The first example sentence is how to talk about media products which fit the 異世界 genre, while the second is the kind of wistful thing an anime otaku might say.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although the word 異世界 is pretty simple to understand grammatically, the concept as it’s used in the light novel, manga and anime industry is full of variations.<\/p>\n At its core, the main element of a story in the 異世界 genre is one where the protagonist is transported to a world that is not our own.<\/p>\n However, there are numerous subgenres which still fit the definition of 異世界 while subverting it or playing up certain aspects.<\/p>\n It would probably be impossible to come up with a full listing of these, but understanding the context that Japanese fans of the genre will already know can help you apply the word properly to media you may be watching or reading.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nWhat is the meaning of isekai (異世界)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What kanji are in isekai (異世界)？<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nせ – “se” as in “sent”
\nかい – “kai” as in the sound at the beginning of the English word “kite”<\/p>\nSome common types of isekai (異世界)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Trapped in a fantasy world<\/strong><\/h2>\n