Meaning and Usage
"航海" (こうかい) primarily refers to sailing or a voyage by ship. It is often used in contexts involving travel by sea, navigation, and maritime journeys. The term can describe both the act of sailing and the journey itself.
Common Contexts
You will see "航海" used when talking about long-distance sea travel, such as world cruises or historical explorations. It also appears in technical contexts related to navigation and maritime technology.
Collocations and Patterns
- 航海に出る: to set out on a voyage
- 航海中: during a voyage
- 航海技術: navigation or sailing technology
These collocations help specify the timing, purpose, or technology related to sailing.
Register and Nuance
"航海" is a neutral to formal term, suitable for written and spoken Japanese when discussing maritime travel. It is not commonly used for casual or metaphorical journeys.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "航海" with "旅行" (travel) or "船旅" (boat trip). "航海" specifically implies navigation and sailing by sea, often with a technical or formal nuance, whereas "旅行" is more general and "船旅" is more casual and leisure-oriented.