地中海(ちちゅうかい)

ちちゅうかい
noun
the Mediterranean Sea
geographyproper-nounplace-name
1. the Mediterranean Sea
The large sea bordered by southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Also used adjectivally to describe the culture, climate, and cuisine of the surrounding region.
地中海(ちちゅうかい)に面(めん)した国(くに)。
A country facing the Mediterranean Sea.
地中海(ちちゅうかい)料理(りょうり)はオリーブオイルをよく使(つか)う。
Mediterranean cuisine uses a lot of olive oil.
夏休(なつやす)みに地中海(ちちゅうかい)のリゾートでゆっくりしたい。
I'd like to relax at a Mediterranean resort during summer vacation.

Literally "sea in the middle of the land," from 地(ち) (land) + 中(ちゅう) (middle) + 海(かい) (sea) — a calque of the Latin Mare Mediterraneum.

Usage

Beyond the geographical reference, 地中海(ちちゅうかい) is commonly used as a modifier for the region's culture, climate, cuisine, and style: 地中海(ちちゅうかい)料理(りょうり) (Mediterranean cuisine), 地中海(ちちゅうかい)性(せい)気候(きこう) (Mediterranean climate), 地中海(ちちゅうかい)風(ふう) (Mediterranean-style).

Common collocations

Related words

Related Words

Related: 太平洋(たいへいよう) (Pacific Ocean)
Related: 大西洋(たいせいよう) (Atlantic Ocean)
Related: 日本海(にほんかい) (Sea of Japan)
Compare: カリブ海(かい) (Caribbean Sea)
general
Added 2026.3.31 0:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
20500/20770_chichuukai