Definition
靠岸 is a separable verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to dock' or 'to pull into shore' — used for ships or boats. The 靠 and 岸 can be separated by aspect markers or measure words, like 靠了岸 ('docked'), 靠着岸 ('be alongside the shore'). The object is indirectly related: you don't 靠 someone — the ship is what 靠岸. In natural speech it can also appear metaphorically, like a person's career reaching a secure point.
v.o.
to dockto pull into shore (of a ship or boat)
Examples
- 靠岸，。Chuán mǎshàng jiù yào kào àn le, qǐng dàjiā zhǔnbèi xià chuán.The ship is about to dock — everyone please get ready to disembark.
- ，。Zhè sōu huòlún zài gǎngkǒu kào le àn, zhèngzài xièhuò.This cargo ship has docked at the port and is now unloading.
- ，靠岸。Hǎi shàng fēnglàng tài dà, yúchuán zhǐ néng xiān kào àn bìfēng.The wind and waves are too strong at sea — the fishing boats have to dock first to take shelter.
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