桟橋(さんばし)

A 桟橋(さんばし) can range from a small wooden jetty to a larger pier.

Etymology

桟(さん) (scaffold, plank) + 橋(ばし) (bridge).

Common collocations

• 桟橋(さんばし)に着(つ)く: to arrive at the pier
• 桟橋(さんばし)から出発(しゅっぱつ)する: to depart from the pier
• 桟橋(さんばし)で釣(つ)りをする: to fish from the pier
• 桟橋(さんばし)に船(ふね)を繋(つな)ぐ: to moor a boat at the pier

Similar words

• 埠頭(ふとう): wharf, quay (larger, for commercial/cargo ships)
• 波止場(はとば): wharf, dock (slightly literary or nostalgic tone)
• 港(みなと): harbor, port (broader term for the whole port area)
• 桟橋(さんばし) typically suggests a smaller structure, often for passenger boats or leisure use