海峡

• Reading: かいきょう
• Romaji: kaikyou
• Kanji breakdown: 海 (kai/umi) — sea | 峡 (kyou) — gorge, narrow pass
• Pronunciation: /kaɪ̯.kʲoː/

Meaning

Strait; channel; narrows. A narrow body of water connecting two larger bodies of water, flanked on both sides by land.

A geographical noun referring to a natural waterway between landmasses, often of strategic and commercial importance. Japan's famous examples include the Kanmon Strait (関門海峡) and the Tsugaru Strait (津軽海峡). Used in geography, history, and geopolitics. Can appear metaphorically to indicate a critical, narrow passage or crossroads in a broader situation.

Examples

1. 津軽海峡は本州と北海道を隔てる重要な海峡だ。 The Tsugaru Strait is an important waterway separating Honshu from Hokkaido.
2. 海峡を渡る船が霧の中にかすんで見えた。 Ships crossing the strait could be seen faintly through the fog.
3. 地政学上、この海峡を制するものが貿易ルートを握ることになる。 Geopolitically, whoever controls this strait holds the key to the trade routes.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, geopolitics, maritime navigation, history

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 海 (kai, 'sea') and 峡 (kyou, 'gorge, narrow pass'). The second character indicates a narrow geographic feature; applied here to a sea passage rather than a land valley.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal