海運

かいうん

marine transportation

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"海運" (かいうん) specifically refers to transportation or shipping by sea. It is commonly used in business, logistics, and economic contexts when discussing the movement of goods or passengers over oceans and seas.

Common Contexts

This term often appears in discussions about shipping companies, international trade, and port operations. It is a formal term and mostly used in written or professional settings rather than casual conversation.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 海運業 (かいうんぎょう): marine transportation industry, referring to the business sector
  • 海運会社 (かいうんがいしゃ): shipping company
  • 海運のスケジュール: shipping schedule

Usage Tips

When using "海運," speakers imply a focus on the commercial or industrial aspect of sea transport, not just the act of traveling by sea. Avoid confusing it with "船" (ふね, ship) or "航海" (こうかい, voyage), which have different nuances. "海運" emphasizes the transportation and logistics side.

Register

This word is formal and technical, suitable for news, business reports, and academic discussions about maritime logistics.

Example Sentences

にほんはかいうんぎょうがはったつしているくにのひとつです。

Japan is one of the countries where the marine transportation industry is well developed.

かいうんがいしゃではたらくにはせんもんてきなちしきがひつようです。

Working at a marine transportation company requires specialized knowledge.

たいふうのえいきょうでかいうんのすけじゅーるがおくれています。

The marine transportation schedule is delayed due to the typhoon.