地
chi[d͡ʑi]
In Japanese, 'ground' can be expressed through different forms. The default form is 地 (chi). Wiktionary also lists 土 (tsuchi).
Meaning: surface of the Earth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 地 | chi | [d͡ʑi] (narrow) [t͡ɕi] (narrow) |
| 土 | tsuchi | [t͡sɨ̥t͡ɕi] (narrow) [do̞] (narrow) |
The word 地 is used to refer to the concept of the earth or as a component in compound words. When you want to specify the actual physical surface of the earth, for example, to say 'the ground is wet' or 'on the ground', it is most common to use the compound word 地面.
Which one should you use?
地 (chi) is typically used as a prefix or suffix in compound words or to refer to the concept of earth/ground. In contrast, 土 (tsuchi) refers to the physical substance of soil or dirt. 土 is used when you are referring to the material itself.
How do you pronounce it?
chi
Did you know?
- The character 土 is used as a shorthand abbreviation for 'Turkey' in Japanese, derived from the phonetic spelling 土耳古.
- In Japanese art and design, 地 refers to the background or negative space, while the primary subject is called 図.
- The word 土 (tsuchi) is not just for dirt, it is also the name of one of the five classical elements in Japanese philosophy, representing the element of 'earth'.
Examples in context
- 地面が揺れ始めた。The ground started shaking.This sentence is useful for describing the movement of the ground using 地.Tatoeba #8684597 by bunbuku, translation #4499082 by CK
- その男は地面に倒れた。The man fell down on the ground.This sentence is useful for describing a person falling on the ground using 地.Tatoeba #208022 by KK_kaku_, translation #45279 by CK
- 地面はまだ濡れている。The ground is still wet.This sentence is useful for describing the state of the ground using 地.Tatoeba #3467056 by arnab, translation #277263 by CK
- この建物は地球の地面から十メートル下にあります。This building is located ten meters below the Earth's surface.
- 彼は野球のグラウンドの土を踏むことが大好きです。He loves stepping on the dirt of a baseball field.
- あの公園の土がふかふかで気持ち良いです。The ground in that park is soft and comfortable to walk on.
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
The siblings are looking at a garden.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、地から芽が出ているよ。Mite, chi kara me ga dete iru yo.Look, a sprout is coming out of the ground.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。すごいね。Hontou da. Sugoi ne.You're right. That's amazing.
- 陽葵 Himari地の温度が上がったからかな。Chi no ondo ga agatta kara kana.I wonder if it's because the ground temperature rose.
- 陽太 Yotaきっとそうだよ、陽葵。Kitto sou da yo, Himari.I'm sure that's it, Himari.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ground” translations and entries 地, 土, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 土, 地, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
