open sea, offing
On'yomi (音読み)
- チュウ
- オキ
Kun'yomi (訓読み)
- おき
About this kanji
The kanji 沖 (oku) primarily means "open sea" or "offing," referring to areas of water that are farther from the shore. It can function as a noun, describing vast ocean spaces, or as part of compounds. For example, 沖縄 (おきなわ) refers to Okinawa, a famous island in Japan; 沖合い (おきあい) means "offshore," indicating a position away from the land; and 沖積 (ちゅうせき) describes alluvial deposits created by accumulating sediments in river deltas. When using この漢字 (this kanji), remember that it often suggests a sense of distance from the land, giving it a maritime context.
Built from
Example sentences
沖の島が見える。
The island is visible offshore.
Meanings across languages
- English
- open sea, offing
- Tiếng Việt
- biển khơi, khơi xa
- 日本語
- 沖, 海の近くの水域
- 한국어
- 개방된 바다, 먼 바다
- 中文
- 公海, 远洋
- id
- laut terbuka, laut lepas
- th
- ทะเลเปิด, ชายฝั่ง
- es
- mar abierto, offing
- fr
- mer ouverte, au large
- de
- offene See, Ägäis
- pt
- mar aberto, offing
Common compounds
- 沖縄おきなわOkinawa
- 沖合いおきあいoffshore
- 沖積ちゅうせきalluvial deposits
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