How to Say "Sea" in Japanese - How To Say Guide

海

umi[ɯ̟mʲi]

The Japanese word for sea is 海 (umi).

海 is the standard word used to refer to the sea or the ocean in a general sense.

Meaning: body of water (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 海 is used for both 'sea' and 'ocean', the term 海洋 is specifically used in formal, scientific or academic contexts to refer to the sea or ocean.

umi

Another theory suggests 海 may be related to the word for 'distant place', reflecting how ancient people viewed the horizon of the ocean.

彼は海が怖い。
He's afraid of the sea.
This sentence shows how to express being afraid of the 海.
Tatoeba #1209141 by bunbuku, translation #294675 by CK
海が見たいな。
I want to see the sea.
This sentence expresses a desire to see the 海.
Tatoeba #10774748 by small_snow, translation #10624709 by AlanF_US
海は凪だった。
The sea was calm.
This sentence describes the state of the 海 being calm.
Tatoeba #11161616 by small_snow, translation #2769830 by CK
174 more sentences on Tatoeba

Ren and Himari are planning a weekend trip.

蓮 Ren

今週末は海に行かない？
Konshūmatsu wa umi ni ikanai?
Why don't we go to the sea this weekend?
陽葵 Himari

いい考えだね。海で泳ぎたい！
Ii kangae da ne. Umi de oyogitai!
That's a great idea. I want to swim in the sea!
蓮 Ren

どこの海に行く？
Doko no umi ni iku?
Which sea shall we go to?
陽葵 Himari

静かな海がいいな。
Shizuka na umi ga ii na.
I'd like a quiet sea.

Sources

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