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JapanLingo

sea

N4
Onyomi
Kunyomi
Stroke count
9
JLPT
N4

Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.

Memory tip

A flat illustration of a fish swimming, with the kanji 海 ("sea") drawn into the picture.

Picture a fish swimming: that is what 海 means — sea. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 氵 (water) — three drops of water running down the left edge, and beside it 毎 (every / each time) — a lid pressed down evenly over the same figure, again and again. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

Stroke Order

Stroke count: 9

General writing tips

These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.

  • •Write from top to bottom.
  • •Write from left to right.
  • •Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
  • •Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
  • •In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
  • •This kanji has 9 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.

Step by step

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9

Practice Writing

Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.

Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.

Writing Tips

  • Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
  • Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
  • Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
  • Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.

Example words

kaigan

coast

kaiun

marine transport

kaiunshita

plain past: did marine transport

kaiunsuru

to do marine transport

kaiunshinai

plain negative: does not do marine transport

kaiunshimasu

polite: do marine transport

Example sentences (3)

kaigan o sanpo suru no ga suki desu.

I like walking along the coast.

natsu ni naru to, kaigan ni hito ga takusan atsumarimasu.

When summer comes, many people gather at the coast.

kono seihin wa rainen kara kaigai e yushutsu sareru yotei desu.

This product is scheduled to be exported overseas from next year.