How to say "aquatic" in Japanese

• 水上すいじょうCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'aquatic' in the sense of on the water: something situated or taking place on the water's surface. It points to position, not to life in the water.
• 水生すいせいCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers the biological sense of 'aquatic': living in the water. Use it for organisms that live in water, the sense behind the phrase 'aquatic life'.

Use 水上 for 'aquatic' meaning on the water, describing things located or taking place on the water's surface, and 水生 for the biological sense of living in the water, as in aquatic life.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 水上すいじょうon the water
• 水生すいせいaquatic (life)
• アクアティックaquatic