1.
open sea, offshore
The area of the sea away from the shore.
船が沖に出た。
The ship went out to sea.
沖に島が見える。
An island is visible offshore.
沖から強い風が吹いてきた。
A strong wind blew in from offshore.
漁師たちは毎朝沖に向かう。
The fishermen head out to sea every morning.
沖合で大きなクジラが泳いでいるのが見えた。
We could see a large whale swimming offshore.
沖 refers to the open sea or offshore area, away from the shore or coast.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 沖に出る: to go out to sea
- 沖に向かう: to head offshore
- 沖から風が吹く: wind blows from offshore
COMPOUNDS:
- 沖合: offshore area
- 沖釣り: offshore fishing
- 沖縄: Okinawa (same kanji, different reading)
CONTRAST:
- 沖: open sea, offshore
- 岸: shore, bank
- 浜: beach
- 海岸: coast, seashore