Japanese word

海

Pronunciation

Romajiumi

Meaning

  • nounsea

Example

海が見えます。umi ga mi e ma su

I can see the sea.

Illustration for 海 (sea)

More examples

夏に海で泳ぎます。natsu ni umi de oyo gi ma su

I swim in the sea in summer.

朝の海は静かです。asa no umi wa shizu ka de su

The sea is calm in the morning.

Core concept

Describes a broad expanse of salt water as a distinct natural area, especially in relation to a shore or other land.

Common phrases

  • 海で泳ぐumi de oyo gu

    swim in the sea

  • 海を見るumi o mi ru

    look at the sea

  • 海に行くumi ni i ku

    go to the beach

Definition in Japanese

塩水からなる広大な水域。en sui ka ra na ru kō dai na sui iki

Word origin

The native Japanese word 海 (umi, "sea") existed before the kanji 海 became its written form, which helps distinguish the word's Japanese origin from the character's Chinese origin.

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses 海 (umi) without words equivalent to English "the" or "a," allowing one noun to describe either sea in general or a specific area understood from context.

Other meanings

  • oceannoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word