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"Costa" is a form of "costa", a noun which is often translated as "coast". "Orilla" is a form of "orilla", a noun which is often translated as "shore". Learn more about the difference between "costa" and "orilla" below.
la costa(
kohs
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. coast
Van a la costa en el verano cuando hace calor en el interior.They go to the coast in the summer when it gets hot inland.
b. shore
Los niños se divirtieron jugando en la costa del lago Michigan.The children had fun playing on the shore of Lake Michigan.
c. bank
Fuimos a la hermosa ciudad de San Isidro en la costa del Río de la Plata.We went to the beautiful city of San Isidro on the banks of the La Plata River.
la orilla(
oh
-
ree
-
yah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (geography)
a. shore (of a lake or ocean)
Me gusta caminar por la orilla en las tardes.I like walking along the shore in the afternoon.
b. bank (of a river)
Tom y Huck fueron a pescar por las orillas del Misisipí.Tom and Huck went fishing along the banks of the Mississippi.
2. (border)
a. edge
Sostén la foto por las orillas para que no la manches.Hold the photograph by the edges so you don't smudge it.
a. sidewalk (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Hay una hilera de árboles por la orilla.There is a line of trees along the sidewalk.
b. pavement (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Miraba en los escaparates mientras caminaba por la orilla.She looked in the shop windows while walking down the pavement.
