岸 (àn) - shore, bank, coast & also used to describe someone who is lofty,

岸Tone 4

àn ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 山

安傲

岸 · àn

shore, bank, coast;

also used to describe someone who is lofty, stern, or imposing.

shore, bank, coastalso used to describe someone who is lofty,

Usage highlights

river bankseashorelake shorelofty and sternshorelineport, harbor

Synonyms

  • 滨— shore, bank
  • 畔— bank, side
  • 涯— shore, margin

Antonyms

  • 水— water (as opposed to land/shore)
  • 海— sea (as opposed to shore)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We walked along the river bank (河岸).
  • The ship is approaching the shore (海岸).
  • He has a stern expression (岸然).
  • The lake shore is very beautiful (湖岸).

Collocations

  • river bank(河岸)
  • seashore(海岸)
  • lake shore(湖岸)
  • lofty and stern(岸然)
  • shoreline(岸线)
  • port, harbor(口岸)

Idioms

  • Lofty and stern in manner(道貌岸然)
  • Retreating to a thatched hut by the water(退居岸水)
  • Towering and majestic(伟岸)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese landscape painting and poetry, '岸' often represents the boundary between water and land, symbolizing stability and separation.
  • The term '岸然' (lofty and stern) is used to describe a person of dignified and serious demeanor, sometimes with a hint of pretentiousness.

FAQ