大海(たいかい)

たいかい
noun
the ocean; the open sea
geography
1. the ocean; the open sea; the vast sea
The great, open expanse of the sea, emphasizing its vastness. A somewhat literary word that often appears in metaphors contrasting something small with the immensity of the sea.
船(ふね)が大海(たいかい)に出(で)た。
The ship sailed out into the open sea.
大海(たいかい)の真(ま)ん中(なか)で方向(ほうこう)を見失(みうしな)った。
We lost our bearings in the middle of the open sea.
自分(じぶん)の知識(ちしき)など、大海(たいかい)の一滴(いってき)にすぎないと感(かん)じた。
I felt that my own knowledge was no more than a drop in the ocean.

A literary, somewhat grand word for the open sea, stressing its vastness. In everyday conversation 海(うみ) is far more common.

Common expressions

Similar words

  • 海(うみ): sea — the everyday, neutral word
  • 大洋(たいよう): ocean — a more technical/geographical term for the major oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, etc.)

Related Words

Compare: 大洋(たいよう) (ocean)
general
Added 2026.6.16 6:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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