川岸(かわぎし)

Refers to the edge or bank of a river. A straightforward compound of 川(かわ) (river) and 岸(きし) (shore/bank), with the second element voiced (岸(ぎし)) due to rendaku.

Common collocations

• 川岸(かわぎし)に立(た)つ: to stand on the riverbank
• 川岸(かわぎし)を歩(ある)く: to walk along the riverbank
• 川岸(かわぎし)の草(くさ): grass on the riverbank

Similar words

• 河岸(かし): riverbank — also read かし, often refers to a wharf or fish market (as in 河岸(かし)を変(か)える, to move to a different bar/restaurant)
• 川辺(かわべ): riverside — emphasizes the area near the river rather than the bank itself
• 岸辺(きしべ): shore, waterside — can refer to any body of water, not just rivers