海
umi[ɯ̟mʲi]
The English word 'ocean' is translated into Japanese. The default form is 海 (umi). Wiktionary also lists 大洋 (taiyō) and 海洋 (kaiyō).
Meaning: one of the large bodies of water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 海 | umi | [ɯ̟mʲi] (narrow) [β̞a̠ta̠] (narrow) |
| 大洋 | taiyō | [ta̠ijo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 海洋 | kaiyō | [ka̠ijo̞ː] (narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
The character in 海 is composed of the radical for 'water' (氵) and the phonetic component for 'each/every' (毎).
Which one should you use?
海 is the most common, everyday word used for both 'sea' and 'ocean'. 海洋 is used in more formal, scientific or academic contexts, such as 'marine biology' or 'oceanography'. 大洋 is a more literary or grand term used to refer to the vastness of the great oceans.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term tasuman kai refers to the Tasman Sea.
How do you pronounce it?
umi
Did you know?
- Some linguists believe the word umi may have been borrowed from an ancient form of the Korean word 'bada' for 'ocean'.
- The word 海 can also be read as wada in certain contexts, though this is far less common than the standard reading umi.
Examples in context
- 海も見たいな。I also want to see the ocean.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to see the ocean using 海.Tatoeba #4216191 by bunbuku, translation #4219231 by Tigrin
- 海で泳ぐのは面白い。Swimming in the ocean is fun.This sentence is useful for describing the fun of swimming in the ocean using 海.Tatoeba #185126 by bunbuku, translation #12748450 by CK
- 海水浴に行ったんだ。I went swimming in the ocean.This sentence is useful for stating that you went swimming in the ocean using 海.Tatoeba #10098169 by small_snow, translation #10098159 by DJ_Saidez
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are looking at a postcard of a tropical beach.
- 蓮 Renこの海は本当にきれいだね。Kono umi wa hontou ni kirei da ne.This ocean is truly beautiful, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、いつか泳ぎに行きたいな。Un, itsuka oyogi ni ikitai na.Yeah, I want to go swimming there someday.
- 蓮 Ren結衣は海が好き？Yui wa umi ga suki?Do you like the ocean, Yui?
- 結衣 Yui大好きだよ！Daisuki da yo!I love it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ocean” translations and entries 海, 大洋, 海洋, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 海, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
