1.
the other shore; the far bank; the opposite side of a river or body of water
The bank or shore on the opposite side of a river, lake, or other body of water from where the speaker is. Can also be used figuratively for something that feels distant or unreachable.
向こう岸に人が見える。
I can see someone on the other shore.
川の向こう岸まで泳いで渡った。
I swam across to the other bank of the river.
向こう岸の景色が夕日に照らされて、とても美しかった。
The scenery on the far shore, lit up by the sunset, was very beautiful.
Compound of 向こう (the other side; over there) + 岸 (shore; bank). The reading changes to ぎし through 連濁 (sequential voicing).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 向こう岸に渡る: to cross to the other side
- 向こう岸が見える: the far shore is visible
- 川の向こう岸: the opposite bank of the river
FIGURATIVE USE:
Sometimes used metaphorically to mean something distant or out of reach, similar to "the other side" in English. In Buddhism, 彼岸 (the other shore) represents enlightenment or the afterlife.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 対岸: the opposite bank — more formal and literary; often used in the expression 対岸の火事 (someone else's problem, literally "a fire on the opposite bank")
- 彼岸: the other shore (Buddhist) — specifically refers to the Buddhist concept of the afterlife or enlightenment, or the equinox holiday period