大海

• Pinyin: dà hǎi
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 = big, vast; 海 = 氵 (water) + 每 (every) — every body of water, the sea

Meaning

The ocean; the sea. A general term for large bodies of seawater.

More evocative and literary than 海 alone. Used when emphasising the vastness or emotional impact of the ocean. Common in everyday speech, poetry, and literary contexts.

Examples

1. 我第一次看到大海，觉得非常美。 The first time I saw the ocean, I thought it was incredibly beautiful.
2. 大海又大又蓝，一眼望不到边。 The ocean is vast and blue, stretching as far as the eye can see.
3. 他的梦想是住在大海边。 His dream is to live by the sea.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, travel, poetry

Tone: poetic

Do Say

• 我很想去看看大海。(I really want to go see the ocean.)
• 大海真美啊！(The ocean is so beautiful!)

Don't Say

• 不要在正式地理描述中用大海 — in scientific or formal geographic contexts, use specific terms like 太平洋 (Pacific Ocean) or 海洋 (ocean, formal).

Origin & History

Compound of 大 (big, vast) and 海 (sea). The addition of 大 emphasises the immensity and grandeur of the sea.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal