Translation guide
The average height of the ocean's surface, used as a reference point for measuring elevation and depth.
Referring to the standard base level for measuring land height or altitude.
Standard term for 'above sea level', often used in signs and official contexts.
この地点の海抜は500メートルです。
The elevation here is 500 meters above sea level.
Means 'elevation' or 'altitude', often implicitly relative to sea level. Common in geography and hiking.
富士山の標高は3776メートルです。
The elevation of Mt. Fuji is 3,776 meters.
Literally 'sea surface', used in scientific contexts like 'sea level rise'.
海面上昇が問題になっています。
Sea level rise is becoming a problem.
Referring to the base level for measuring depth, especially below sea level.
Means 'below sea level'. Used for depths or low-lying areas.
死海の海面下は約430メートルです。
The Dead Sea is about 430 meters below sea level.
Used on signs to indicate 'below sea level', literally 'sea level minus'.
この地域は海抜マイナス2メートルです。
This area is 2 meters below sea level.
Discussing changes in the average sea level due to global warming.
Scientific term for 'sea level', often used in climate science.
地球温暖化で海水準が上昇している。
Sea levels are rising due to global warming.
Another scientific term for 'sea level', often used in reports.
海面水位の変動を観測する。
Monitor sea level fluctuations.
海抜 explicitly means 'above sea level', while 標高 means 'elevation' and is often used for mountains. In many contexts they are interchangeable, but 海抜 is clearer for emphasizing the sea level reference.
The literal translation 海レベル is not used in Japanese. Use 海抜 or 海面 instead.
その都市は海抜10メートルです。
The city is 10 meters above sea level.
海水準が予測より速く上昇している。
Sea levels are rising faster than predicted.