海抜(かいばつ)

Forms

海(かい) (sea) + 抜(ばつ) (above, exceeding). Literally "above the sea."

Common patterns

• 海抜(かいばつ)〜メートル: ... meters above sea level
• 海抜(かいばつ)ゼロメートル地帯(ちたい): areas at or below sea level (flood risk zones)

CONTRAST WITH 標高(ひょうこう):

• 海抜(かいばつ): general term, commonly seen on signs and in everyday descriptions
• 標高(ひょうこう): more technical, preferred in geography, mountaineering, and scientific writing
• Both measure height from sea level, but 標高(ひょうこう) is more precise in academic contexts

Common collocations

• 海抜(かいばつ)が高(たか)い: high elevation
• 海抜(かいばつ)が低(ひく)い: low elevation
• 海抜(かいばつ)表示(ひょうじ): elevation sign (often seen on utility poles in flood-prone areas)