Usage note
海可以用来描述广阔的水域，比如大海、海边。
hǎi kě yǐ lái gù shù guǎng kuò de yuān qí, bì如 大海、海边。
The word '海' can be used to describe vast bodies of water, such as the sea and the beach.
Context note
我们可以在描述海洋生物、海滩度假或者航行时使用这个词语。
wǒ men kě yǐ zài shù míng huá yǎn wù、tān diào 或者 háng xíng shí sòng yòng zhè gè cí yǔ。
We can use this word when describing marine life, beach vacations, or sailing.
5 examples
大海里有很多鱼。
dà hǎi lǐ yǒu hěn duō yú。
There are many fish in the sea.
我们去海边玩吧。
wǒ men qù hǎi biān wán ba。
Let's go to the beach to play.
航行在海上的船只很多。
háng xíng zài hǎi shàng de chuán zhī hěn duō。
Many ships sail on the sea.
海浪拍打着海岸。
hǎi làng pāi dǎ zhe hǎi àn。
The waves are hitting the shore.
海边的风景很美。
hǎi biān de fēng jǐng hěn měi。
The scenery by the beach is very beautiful.
5 mini stories
小明喜欢去海边玩，他可以看到很多海鸥和鱼。
xiǎo míng xǐ huan qù hǎi biān wán， tā kě yǐ kàn dào hěn duō hǎi ōu hé yú。
Xiaoming likes to go to the beach, where he can see many seagulls and fish.
妈妈带小红去海边度假，她们在沙滩上晒太阳。
mā ma dài xiǎo hóng qù hǎi biān dù jià， tā men zài shā tān shàng shài tài yáng。
Mom took Xiaohong on a beach vacation, where they sunbathed on the sand.
爸爸经常带家人出海捕鱼。
bà ba jīng cháng dài jiā rén chū hǎi bǔ yú。
Dad often takes his family out to sea for fishing.
小华在海边捡到了一个漂流瓶。
xiǎo huá zài hǎi biān jiǎn dào le yí gè piāo liú píng。
Xiaohua found a glass bottle washed up on the beach.
爷爷告诉孙子，大海里有很多宝藏。
yé ye gào sù sūn zi， dà hǎi lǐ yǒu hěn duō bǎo zàng。
Grandpa told his grandson that there are many treasures in the sea.
Mini dialogue
看海
A
你喜欢大海吗？
Nǐ xǐhuān dàhǎi ma?
Do you like the sea?
B
喜欢！海很蓝，很漂亮。
Xǐhuān! Hǎi hěn lán, hěn piàoliang.
Yes! The sea is very blue and beautiful.
海边玩耍
A
我们去海边玩，好吗？
Wǒmen qù hǎibiān wán, hǎo ma?
Let's go play by the sea, okay?
B
好啊，我想看海。
Hǎo a, wǒ xiǎng kàn hǎi.
Okay, I want to see the sea.
Related words and contrasts
similar
大海
dà hǎi
the big sea; ocean
大海 is a common, slightly more vivid way to say 'sea' or 'ocean'.
similar
洋
yáng
ocean
洋 usually refers to a vast ocean, like 太平洋 (Pacific Ocean).
contrast
湖
hú
lake
A 湖 is a lake, much smaller than a 海 (sea).