海岸

• Reading: かいがん
• Romaji: kaigan
• Kanji breakdown: 海 (kai/umi) — sea, ocean; 岸 (gan/kishi) — shore, bank
• Pronunciation: /ka.i.ɡaɴ/

Meaning

Coast; seashore; beach. The area where land meets the sea.

A more formal or geographical term compared to 浜 (hama, beach) or 海辺 (umibe, seaside). Used in both everyday conversation and official contexts such as maps, news reports, and geography. Common in compound words like 海岸線 (coastline).

Examples

1. 海岸を散歩するのが好きです。 I like taking walks along the coast.
2. 海岸にたくさんの貝がありました。 There were lots of shells on the beach.
3. 台風で海岸が荒れています。 The coast is rough because of the typhoon.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, travel, nature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From classical Chinese. 海 means sea or ocean, and 岸 means shore or bank. Together they describe the boundary between sea and land.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal