Translation guide
The sea near the coast, often used in contexts like fishing, navigation, or environmental discussion. Japanese has several common terms that vary by nuance and register.
To refer to the sea area near the coast in a neutral, everyday sense.
A standard, slightly formal term for coastal waters, often used in news, reports, and official contexts.
この沿岸海域では漁業が盛んです。
Fishing is thriving in these coastal waters.
Literally 'near seas', commonly used for waters relatively close to shore, especially in fishing and shipping contexts.
近海で獲れた魚は新鮮です。
Fish caught in coastal waters are fresh.
A more formal or technical term, often used in legal or geographical contexts. Less common in daily speech.
沿海の生態系を守る必要があります。
We need to protect the coastal ecosystem.
To emphasize the immediate area where land meets sea, often for swimming, small boats, or scenery.
A natural phrase meaning 'the sea along the coast', suitable for casual and descriptive use.
沿岸の海は透明度が高いです。
The coastal waters are very clear.
Literally 'the sea near the shore', a straightforward and common way to describe waters close to the beach.
岸近くの海で泳ぐのは安全です。
It's safe to swim in the coastal waters.
To refer to the legal zone of coastal waters under a nation's jurisdiction.
The standard term for 'territorial waters', used in legal, political, and news contexts.
その船は日本の領海に入りました。
The ship entered Japan's coastal waters.
A formal term for 'coastal waters' as a jurisdictional zone, often used in international law or environmental regulations.
沿岸水域の管理が重要です。
Management of coastal waters is important.
近海 is more common in everyday contexts like fishing and weather reports, while 沿岸海域 is slightly more formal and often used in environmental or scientific discussions. Both can translate 'coastal waters', but 近海 implies a broader 'nearby sea' area, not necessarily hugging the coast.
Directly translating 'coastal waters' as 海岸の水 (kaigan no mizu) would mean 'water from the coast' or 'beach water', which is unnatural. Use the terms above instead.