北ほっ海かい

noun

northern sea; northern ocean

General term for a sea or ocean in the north. Can refer to any northern sea, not a specific proper name.

• その船ふねは北ほっ海かいを航こう海かいしている。

  The ship is sailing the northern seas.

noun

North Sea

Specifically the North Sea between Great Britain and continental Europe.

• 北ほっ海かい油ゆ田でんはヨーロッパのエネルギー供きょう給きゅうに重じゅう要ようだ。

  The North Sea oil fields are important for Europe's energy supply.

noun, noun, used as a prefix

Hokkaido

Abbreviation of 北海道. Used in compound words like 北海タイムス or as a prefix in names.

See also: 北海道

• 北ほっ海かいタイムスは北ほっ海かい道どうの新しん聞ぶんだ。

  The Hokkai Times is a newspaper in Hokkaido.