海域

• Pinyin: hǎi yù
• Hanzi breakdown: 海 = 氵+ 每; 域 = 土 (land/territory) + 或 (demarcation) — a bounded territory, here applied to sea

Meaning

Sea area; maritime zone — a defined expanse of ocean waters.

A technical term used in international law, military affairs, fisheries management, and environmental policy. Key collocates include 专属经济区海域 (EEZ waters), 争议海域 (disputed waters), and 管辖海域 (jurisdictional waters).

Examples

1. 该国宣布对争议海域拥有主权，此举立即引发了周边国家的强烈抗议。 The country announced sovereignty over the disputed sea area, immediately triggering strong protests from neighboring countries.
2. 渔政部门在这片海域实施了为期三个月的全面禁捕令，以促进渔业资源恢复。 Fisheries authorities imposed a comprehensive three-month fishing ban in this sea area to help restore fishery resources.
3. 科考船在南海特定海域采集了大量深海样本，用于研究海底生物多样性。 A research vessel collected a large number of deep-sea samples in a designated sea area of the South China Sea to study seabed biodiversity.

Usage Guide

Context: international relations, law, military, environment

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 根据国际海洋法公约，各沿海国对其专属经济区海域内的资源享有主权权利。(Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, coastal states enjoy sovereign rights over resources within their exclusive economic zone waters.)
• 军方宣布将在该海域举行为期五天的海上军事演习，并提醒过往船只注意安全。(The military announced a five-day naval exercise in the sea area and reminded passing vessels to observe safety precautions.)

Don't Say

• 用海域指陆上地区 — 海域 is strictly a maritime term; for land zones use 地区, 区域, or 领域

Origin & History

海 (sea) + 域 (zone, area, territory) — a bounded area of sea

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal