下海

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Chinese

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under; next; lower
under; next; lower; below; underneath; down(wards); to go down; latter
 
ocean; sea
simp. and trad.
(下海)
Literally: “to go into the sea”.

Etymology

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In the business sense, the analogy is that going out to the sea is usually risky and unpredictable.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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下海

  1. (literally) to sail out to the sea; to go to sea; to go fishing, swimming, surfing (or other activities) in the sea
  2. (figuratively, chiefly Mainland China) to resign from one's profession and venture into doing business
    下海經商下海经商  ―  xiàhǎi jīngshāng  ―  to go into business
  3. (figuratively, of an amateur performer) to turn professional
  4. (figuratively, of a woman) to be driven to prostitution
  5. (figuratively, slang) to go into the pornography or sex work industry

Synonyms

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  • (to sail out the sea): (Hokkien) 落海

Antonyms

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  • (antonym(s) of to go into the pornography or sex work industry): 上岸 (shàng'àn)