海峡

• Pinyin: hǎi xiá
• Hanzi breakdown: 海 = 氵+ 每; 峡 = 山 (mountain) + 夹 (pinched between) — narrow passage between mountains, extended to sea

Meaning

Strait; a narrow body of water connecting two larger bodies of water.

Used in geography, international relations, and political discourse. The most politically charged usage in Chinese is 台湾海峡 (Taiwan Strait), which figures prominently in discussions of cross-strait relations. Also appears in geopolitical analysis of strategic chokepoints.

Examples

1. 台湾海峡的局势持续受到国际社会的密切关注，各方均呼吁保持克制。 The situation in the Taiwan Strait continues to draw close attention from the international community, and all sides are calling for restraint.
2. 这条海峡是沟通两大洋的重要战略通道，历来是各国海军争夺的焦点。 This strait is a major strategic passage connecting two oceans and has long been a focal point of competition among navies.
3. 海峡两岸的民间交流日益频繁，学者和商界人士往来不断。 People-to-people exchanges across the strait have become increasingly frequent, with scholars and business leaders traveling back and forth constantly.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, politics, international relations, military

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 马六甲海峡是全球最繁忙的海上贸易通道之一，对亚洲经济具有举足轻重的战略意义。(The Strait of Malacca is one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes, holding critical strategic importance for the Asian economy.)
• 两国就海峡通行权问题展开多轮谈判，至今尚未达成最终协议。(The two countries have held multiple rounds of negotiations over the right of passage through the strait, with no final agreement reached yet.)

Don't Say

• 用海峡指宽阔的海湾 — 海峡 denotes a narrow passage; for a wide gulf or bay use 海湾 or 湾

Origin & History

海 (sea) + 峡 (gorge, narrow pass) — a narrow sea passage between two landmasses

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal