Japanese word

海岸

Pronunciation

Romajikaigan

Meaning

  • nounbeach

Example

夏に海岸へ行きます。natsu ni kai gan e i ki ma su

I go to the beach in summer.

Illustration for 海岸 (beach)

More examples

朝、海岸で貝殻を拾いました。asa kai gan de kai gara o hiro i ma shi ta

I collected seashells on the beach in the morning.

Core concept

Refers to the strip of land where the sea meets the land, whether it is sandy, rocky, or built up.

Common phrases

  • 海岸へ行くkai gan e i ku

    go to the beach

  • 海岸で遊ぶkai gan de aso bu

    play on the beach

Similar words

海辺umibe: An area of land beside the sea, viewed as a place or setting.
海水浴場kaisuiyokujō: A place by the sea that is prepared and designated for swimming.

Definition in Japanese

海と陸地が接するあたり一帯。umi to riku chi ga ses su ru a ta ri it tai

Word origin

The compound 海岸 (kaigan) is made from 海 (kai, "sea") and 岸 (gan, "shore"), so its meaning centers on the shore of the sea.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 海岸 (kaigan) names the shore as a general area, while 海水浴場 (kaisuiyokujō) specifically means a designated bathing beach.

Other meanings

  • coastnoun

Word lists with this word