Water masses and circulation in the yellow Sea (Hwanghae) were briefly reviewed and synthesized. Water masses were classified into four types: Hwanghae Cold Water, Hwanghae Warm Current Water, Coastal Waters and Changjiang River Diluted Water. The Hwanghae Cold Water can be defined to have a salinity of 32.0∼33.0% and a temperature below 10$^{circ}C$, based on long-term hydrographic data and recent CTD casts (KORI, 1984). Concerning circulation, there exists a cyclonic gyre throughout the year in the southern part. In winter, the coastal current along the Chinese coast is very strong due to northerly or northwesterly winds and the Hwanghae Warm Current becomes weak as can be expected from a surface to bottom thermohaline front west of Cheju-do. Meanwhile in summer, the Changjiang River Diluted Water flows northeastward toward Cheju-do and the coastal current in the western part is greatly reduced. The northward current during summer in the southeastern Hwanghae has been accepted to be the Hwanghae Warm Current until now, coastal waters and the Hwanghae Cold Water in the central deep area, not a continuation of the Hwanghae Warm Current.