How to say "coastline" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 海岸線かいがんせんnounThe common word for the line itself, where land meets the sea; it also covers 'shoreline'. Use it when talking about the shape, length, or outline of a coast.
- 沿岸部えんがんぶnounDenotes a coastal region or area — the stretch along the coast — rather than the line itself; it matches 'coastline' only loosely, and for the line's shape or length 海岸線 is the word you want.
Use 海岸線 for the line where land meets the sea; 沿岸部 means a coastal region or area, so choose it when the focus is the area along the coast rather than the line itself.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
