Meaning

Primary

Coast

Alternative

Shore

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

To run alongside the shore means to follow the line where land meets water. That whole stretch is the coast. This isn't just the water's edge, but includes the strip of land and sea alongside it.

Reading

えんがん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 沿岸に位置する

    to be located on the coast

    沿岸に生息する

    to inhabit coastal waters, to inhabit coastal areas

    沿岸に押し寄せる

    to surge toward the coast

Context Sentences

太平洋沿岸に大きな波が押し寄せました。

Large waves surged toward the Pacific coast.

この種類のカニは北海道の沿岸にしか生息してないんですよ。

This species of crab only lives along the coast of Hokkaido.

ワシントン州沿岸に位置するオリンピック国立公園のすぐ近くで育ちました。

I grew up right near Olympic National Park, which is located along the coast of Washington state.

Kanji Composition