岸

㟁

àn

厈 + 山

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

àn (noun) bank; shore; coast

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 屵 represents the meaning and 干 represents the sound.

About

岸 is a phonosemantic compound: 屵 (a high bank or cliff, itself composed of 山 'mountain' and 厂 'cliff') provides the meaning, while 干 (gān) indicates the sound. This structure evokes an elevated landmass dropping sharply to water, and the original meaning is the solid ground at the edge of a river, lake, or sea, a bank, shore, or coast. Over time, the meaning broadened metaphorically to represent reaching safety, achieving a goal, or spiritually crossing from suffering's turbulent waters to dry land.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条河岸很长。

Zhè tiáo hé àn hěn cháng。

This river bank is very long.

我们站在陡峭的岸边。

Wǒmen zhàn zài dǒuqiào de àn biān。

We are standing on the steep bank.

对岸的风景很美丽。

Duì àn de fēngjǐng hěn měilì。

The scenery on the opposite shore is very beautiful.

小船缓缓靠向彼岸。

Xiǎochuán huǎnhuǎn kào xiàng bǐ'àn。

The small boat slowly approaches the other shore.

沿着海岸线开车很惬意。

Yánzhe hǎi'ànxiàn kāichē hěn qièyì。

Driving along the coastline is very pleasant.

他的态度始终高岸自持。

Tā de tàidu shǐzhōng gāo àn zì chí。

His attitude has always been aloof and self-restrained.

救援队终于抵达了遥远的彼岸。

Jiùyuán duì zhōngyú dǐdá le yáoyuǎn de bǐ'àn。

The rescue team finally reached the distant other shore.

在人生的此岸遥望彼岸，感慨万千。

Zài rénshēng de cǐ àn yáowàng bǐ àn, gǎnkǎi wànqiān。

Gazing from this shore of life towards the other shore, one is filled with infinite emotions.

Related Characters

Component: 厈

Component: 山

岸