shore

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 岸 conveys a shore or bank; its kun-reading is きし and its on-reading is がん.
• Basic usage: 海岸(かいがん) means a coast or seashore, while 岸(きし) means a shore or bank.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A sea coast and a lake shore
  • 海岸 refers to the coast where someone walks or gathers driftwood. Initial 海 specifies that it borders the sea.
  • 湖の岸 means a lake shore, while こちらの岸 means this bank or shore. 岸 applies to the edge of a lake as well as to a sea coast.