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桟橋 (さんばし) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Meanings 1
noun
pier ; wharf ; jetty ; landing bridge
Refers to a structure extending from the shore into water, used for docking boats, loading/unloading, or walking. The reading さんきょう is rare and mostly technical.
さん
橋ばし
の
先せん
端たん
に
立た
っ
て
い
た
。
A fisherman was standing at the end of the pier.
Written forms 桟橋 Usage 98% i Usage for this spelling across all readings, not one reading alone.
棧橋 Usage 2% i Usage for this spelling across all readings, not one reading alone.
out-dated kanji form
さんきょう
Similar words 埠ふ 頭とう 埠頭 is a larger wharf or quay, often part of a port facility, while 桟橋 is typically a lighter pier or jetty, sometimes for smaller boats or recreational use.
Etymology Compound of 桟 (さん, 'crosspiece' or 'frame') and 橋 (はし, 'bridge'), with rendaku voicing to ばし. The reading さんきょう is the on'yomi compound reading, less common.