Is there a difference between 海{うみ} and 海原{うなばら}?


The words 海{うみ} and 海原{うなばら} both seem to mean _sea, ocean_. Is there any
difference between them?




海原 is a literary word used almost exclusively in poems, lyrics, book titles,
etc. As its kanji 原 ("field") suggests, it expresses the vastness of the
surface of the sea, not its depth. No matter how romantic you feel, don't say
海原に行こう in conversations. It sounds really funny. FWIW, maybe I have not used
this word in my entire life.

海 is the ordinary word that means "sea."




海原 is a literary word used almost exclusively in poems, lyrics, book titles,
etc. As its kanji 原 ("field") suggests, it expresses the vastness of the
surface of the sea, not its depth. No matter how romantic you feel, don't say
海原に行こう in conversations. It sounds really funny. FWIW, maybe I have not used
this word in my entire life.

海 is the ordinary word that means "sea."

