海洋
kaiyō[ka̠ijo̞ː]
The English word "marine" is translated into Japanese as 海洋 (kaiyō).
The term 海洋 is used as an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea. It is a common formal way to represent "marine" and is used in scientific contexts and official documents. When you want to refer specifically to marine organisms, such as animals or plants, the term 海の生物 is used.
Meaning: of or pertaining to the sea (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 海洋 is composed of the characters 海 (sea) and 洋 (ocean/vast expanse).
Which one should you use?
Additionally, if you are referring to a member of a marine corps rather than the ocean, the term 海兵 is used.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kaiyō
Did you know?
- The character 洋 in 海洋 also means 'Western' or 'foreign' in certain contexts. For example, 洋服 refers to Western-style clothing, linking the idea of a vast ocean to things that come from across it.
- The character 洋 in 海洋 originally referred to the vastness of the western oceans. In a historical context, it specifically helped distinguish the large, deep oceans from smaller coastal waters or seas.
- Japanese has a specific term, 海中, to describe the 'marine' environment specifically meaning 'under the sea'. It is used as a prefix for everything from submarines to underwater photography.
Examples in context
- 科学者たちは、海洋生物の生態系についての研究を行っています。Scientists are conducting research on marine ecosystems.
- 海洋学の専門家は、全球の海洋生態系を保護するために協力しています。Marine experts are cooperating to protect the world's marine ecosystems.
- ウミガメは海の生物の中でも特に魅力的な存在です。Sea turtles are particularly fascinating creatures among marine organisms.
- 海洋学の研究をしています。kaiyougaku no kenkyuu o shite imasu.I am studying oceanography.
- 海洋汚染は深刻な問題です。kaiyou osen wa shinkoku na mondai desu.Marine pollution is a serious problem.
- 海洋資源の保護が必要です。kaiyou shigen no hogo ga hitsuyou desu.Protection of marine resources is necessary.
Example conversation
Two university students are discussing their research interests in a library.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔さんは何を研究しているの？Hiroto-san wa nani o kenkyuu shite iru no?Hiroto, what are you researching?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕は海洋生物について調べているよ。Boku wa kaiyou seibutsu ni tsuite shirabete iru yo.I am researching marine life.
- 陽葵 Himari海洋の研究は面白そうだね。Kaiyou no kenkyuu wa omoshirosou da ne.Marine research sounds interesting.
- 大翔 Hirotoとても奥が深くて大変だよ。Totemo oku ga fukakute taihen da yo.It is very profound and difficult.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 海洋, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
