1. Kanji Breakdown: 海
This kanji represents one of the most vast and fundamental natural features on Earth.
Meaning: Sea, ocean.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): カイ (kai)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): うみ (umi)
The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). It consists of two parts:
Left (氵): This is the "water" radical (さんずい), representing liquid and bodies of water.
Right (毎): This component means "every," but here it primarily serves as a phonetic component, giving the "mai/kai" sound. In ancient times, it was also associated with a mother (母), giving the nuance of a "mother" body of water that contains and nurtures all life.
Thus, the character can be understood as "the water that contains everything" or "the mother of all waters," which is a fitting description for the sea.
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "海" has 9 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 9
Start with the left radical "氵" (water radical):
Then, write the right part "毎":
Key Writing Tips:
Write from left to right, top to bottom.
The left radical "氵" is narrow. The three dots should not be aligned vertically; the second dot is slightly to the left.
The right part "毎" is complex. Pay attention to the correct stroke order for the top part (𠂉) and the bottom part (母).
The overall character should feel balanced, with the right part occupying about two-thirds of the width.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "海" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
海 (うみ, umi)
Meaning: Sea, ocean.
Example: 夏には海で泳ぎに行きます。
Romaji: Natsu ni wa umi de oyogi ni ikimasu.
English: In the summer, I go to the sea to swim.
海洋 (かいよう, kaiyou)
Meaning: Ocean, marine (often used in scientific or formal contexts).
Example: 海洋汚染が深刻な問題だ。
Romaji: Kaiyou osen ga shinkoku na mondai da.
English: Ocean pollution is a serious problem.
海水 (かいすい, kaisui)
Meaning: Seawater.
Example: 海水浴場が混雑している。
Romaji: Kaisui yokujō ga konzatsu shite iru.
English: The seawater bathing area is crowded.
地中海 (ちちゅうかい, chichūkai)
Meaning: Mediterranean Sea.
Example: 地中海クルーズは素晴らしい体験だった。
Romaji: Chichūkai kurūzu wa subarashii taiken datta.
English: The Mediterranean cruise was a wonderful experience.
海外 (かいがい, kaigai)
Meaning: Overseas, abroad.
Example: 彼は海外で働いている。
Romaji: Kare wa kaigai de hataraite iru.
English: He works overseas.
海賊 (かいぞく, kaizoku)
Meaning: Pirate.
Example: 海賊の映画を見るのが好きだ。
Romaji: Kaizoku no eiga o miru no ga suki da.
English: I like watching pirate movies.
Summary
Kanji: 海
Core Meaning: Sea, Ocean.
Readings: On'yomi カイ (kai), Kun'yomi うみ (umi)
Stroke Order: 9 strokes. Remember it's composed of 氵 (left - water) and 毎 (right - phonetic). Practice writing it step-by-step to master its form.
This kanji is absolutely essential for talking about geography, travel, and nature. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you will be able to correctly write and use this fundamental character.