沿岸 yán’àn coastal area
coastal area; littoral or riparian
How to remember 沿岸: 沿 to follow a course + 岸 beach = coastal area.
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How it is used
- Means the land along a shore or riverbank - 长江沿岸的城市 (Chángjiāng yán'àn de chéngshì) cities along the Yangtze.
- 沿 here is 'following the course of', so it applies to any waterline: coast, river, or lake edge.
- Compare 沿海 (yánhǎi), which specifically means 'coastal' (along the sea); 沿岸 is broader and works for rivers too.