noun
Refers to a sandbank or sandbar in a river or coastal area. Often used in place names.
川の中に小さな州ができていた。
A small sandbank had formed in the river.
この辺りは州が多く、船の航行には注意が必要だ。
There are many sandbars around here, so caution is needed when navigating boats.
The kanji 州 originally depicted an islet in a river. The reading す is a native Japanese word for sandbank.