海
umi[ɯ̟mʲi]
The Japanese phrase for "the ocean" or "the sea" is 海 (umi).
海 is used for the general concept of the sea or ocean. It is also used to describe the sea as a destination, such as when someone is going to the sea for a trip to the beach.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is umi.
Did you know?
- Some linguists believe umi is not originally Japanese but was borrowed from an ancient form of the Korean word for sea, bada.
- While 海 (umi) is the standard word for the sea, it can also be read as wada in certain contexts.
Examples in context
- 海がとても綺麗です。umi ga totemo kirei desu.The sea is very beautiful.
- 夏は海へ行きたいです。natsu wa umi e ikitai desu.I want to go to the ocean in summer.
- この海は深いです。kono umi wa fukai desu.This sea is deep.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at a scenic view from a balcony.
- 大翔 Hiroto海が見えますね。umi ga miemasu ne.We can see the ocean, can't we?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、とても広いです。hai, totemo hiroi desu.Yes, it is very wide.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんは海が好きですか？misaki-san wa umi ga suki desu ka?Misaki, do you like the sea?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、大好きです。hai, daisuki desu.Yes, I love it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 海, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 海, CC BY-SA 4.0.
