海底
also: うなぞこ
Meanings
bottom of the ocean; seafloor; seabed
Refers to the physical bottom of the sea or ocean. Common in scientific, geographical, and everyday contexts.
Many mysteries still remain on the ocean floor.
The ship sank to the bottom of the sea.
noun-modifying (irregular)
undersea; submarine
Prenominal use, modifying nouns to mean 'under the sea' or 'submarine'. Common in compound terms like 海底ケーブル (submarine cable) or 海底火山 (submarine volcano).
Submarine cables support internet communication.
A new island was formed by the eruption of a submarine volcano.
Usage patterns
- 海底に沈むto sink to the bottom of the sea
The ship sank to the bottom of the sea in the storm.
- 海底を探査するto explore the seafloor
The research team explored the seafloor using an unmanned submersible.
- 海底に眠るto lie at the bottom of the sea (esp. of a wreck or lost treasure)
The treasure is said to still lie at the bottom of the sea.
- 海底から〈物〉が発見されるfor something to be discovered on the seafloor
Ancient artifacts were discovered on the seafloor.