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March 24, 2026
岸(㟁)àn(an4)
The character 岸 (àn) refers to a landform at the edge of a body of water, such as a beach, coast, or shore. It is commonly used in contexts relating to geography and nature, often paired with other characters to describe various types of shores or banks.
Strokes8Radical山Frequency#7827DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 岸 is tied to traditional poetry and literature that often celebrates nature's beauty, reflecting the importance of natural landscapes in Chinese art and philosophy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall 'ant' (àn) standing on the edge of a 'cliff' (the radical for 'rock,' 岩, resembles a rocky shore) watching the waves crash against the 'beach.' This visual of the ant at the shore helps recall both the meaning and pronunciation.
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AI Study Notes for 岸
Quick Contrast
海岸 (hǎi'àn) vs 河岸 (hé'àn) — use 海岸 for coastal areas by the sea and 河岸 for riverbanks.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall 'ant' (àn) standing on the edge of a 'cliff' (the radical for 'rock,' 岩, resembles a rocky shore) watching the waves crash against the 'beach.' This visual of the ant at the shore helps recall both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
When using 岸, be mindful of its context, as it often appears in geographical terms. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters like 安 (ān, peace). Common collocations include 海岸 (hǎi'àn, seaside) and 河岸 (hé'àn, riverbank).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 岸 connects to other geographical terms and expressions. Students should focus on its usage in descriptive phrases about nature and practice reading sentences that include this character to reinforce meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 岸 is tied to traditional poetry and literature that often celebrates nature's beauty, reflecting the importance of natural landscapes in Chinese art and philosophy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 岸 as ān instead of àn. Additionally, some may confuse it with characters like 安 (ān, peace) when writing, leading to incorrect usage.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 岸
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Grammar Patterns of 岸
岸 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
5只划艇排成一行从对____出发了。
A string of five rowing boats set out from the opposite bank.
He had jumped overboard in New York harbor and swum to shore.
10
他上岸去了，留下我修理被撕破的船帆。
tā shàng àn qù le， ， liú xià wǒ xiū lǐ bèi sī pò de chuán。
He went ashore leaving me to start repairing the torn sail.
Cultural Notes for 岸
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 岸 is tied to traditional poetry and literature that often celebrates nature's beauty, reflecting the importance of natural landscapes in Chinese art and philosophy.
Word Family of 岸
Compounds4
堓
婩
硸
錌
Words Containing This Character20
海岸hǎi’àncoastal
两岸liǎng’ànbilateral兩岸
岸ànbank
岸边shore岸邊
口岸a port for external trade
上岸to go ashore
海岸线coastline海岸線
沿岸yán’àncoastal area
对岸opposite bank (of a body of water)對岸
岸上ànshàngashore
靠岸landfall
彼岸the other shore
河岸riverside
南岸Nananqu district of central Chongqing municipality, formerly in Sichuan
离岸offshore離岸
岸然solemn
堤岸bank
伟岸imposing偉岸
江岸Jiang'an district of Wuhan city 武漢市|武汉市[Wǔhànshì], Hubei
南岸区Nananqu district of central Chongqing municipality, formerly in Sichuan南岸區
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 海岸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 岸
The correct pronunciation is àn with a falling tone.
While it primarily refers to physical shores, it can be used metaphorically in poetry to suggest boundaries or limits.
