run alongside, follow along, run along, lie along
沿 centers on moving or extending along a line or edge: running alongside, following along, or lying along something.
沿 combines 氵 (water) with a phonetic element that originally depicted a pit or hollow, suggesting water flowing along a channel or edge.
Water 氵 flows along a path defined by a hollow shape (几 over 口), like a stream running alongside a riverbank.
For エン, picture a long line of yen coins placed along the edge of a stream: yen -> エン, and the coins follow the water's path.
to run along; to run beside; to stick to (a line)
along (a river, coast, railway, etc.); on (e.g. a street)
coast; shore
places alongside a railway line, bus route, major thoroughfare, etc.
seaside; seashore; coast; coastland
roadside; wayside; route
history; development
sea along the coast; coastal waters; inshore waters
along; parallel to; in accordance with
along the north coast; along the northern sea shore
along the southern coast
along the southern coast; along the southern seashore
along the wall
Pacific coast
(running) along a mountain; along (a chain of) mountains
along the river; riverside
to meet (someone's) wishes; to meet (someone's) demands
to live up to (one's) expectations; to meet expectations
along the east coast; along the eastern seashore
along; by; parallel to