海岸

かいがん

coast, seashore

JLPT N4

Character Breakdown

Understanding 海岸

The word 海岸 (hǎi’àn) specifically refers to the edge or shore of a sea or large body of water. It is commonly used to describe beaches, coastal areas, or the land bordering the ocean.

Usage in Conversation

You will often hear 海岸 in contexts related to travel, nature, and leisure activities such as walking, sightseeing, or vacationing by the sea. For example, phrases like “沿海岸散步” (walk along the coast) or “海岸线上度假” (there are resorts along the coastline) are very natural.

Common Collocations

  • 海岸线 (hǎi’àn xiàn): coastline, the line where land meets the sea
  • 海岸 (hǎi’àn fēng): coastal wind, often strong and refreshing
  • 海岸度假 (hǎi’àn dùjiàcūn): coastal resort, a place for vacation near the sea

Tips

海岸 is more formal and specific than just (sea) or (seaside). It emphasizes the boundary between land and sea. Avoid confusing it with (riverbank), which refers to river shores. When describing places for leisure or natural scenery by the sea, 海岸 is the preferred term.

Example Sentences

We walked along the coast, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

There are many resorts along the coastline, perfect for summer vacations.

The wind on the coast is strong, making it suitable for flying kites.