土地
tochi[to̞t͡ɕi]
The English word 'land' can be translated into Japanese in several ways depending on the context, with 土地 (tochi) being the default form. Wiktionary also lists 土 (tsuchi) and 陸地 (rikuchi).
Meaning: part of Earth that is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 土地 | tochi | [to̞t͡ɕi] (narrow) |
| 土 | tsuchi | [t͡sɨ̥t͡ɕi] (narrow) [do̞] (narrow) |
| 陸地 | rikuchi | [ɾʲikɯ̟̊t͡ɕi] (narrow) |
The Japanese language uses different terms for 'land' based on whether you are discussing physical dirt, a piece of property or geographical landmasses. 土地 refers to land as a piece of property, a plot or a specific area of ground. 陸地 is used in a geographical sense to describe landmasses or dry land as distinct from the sea or ocean. Finally, 土 is used when referring to the physical substance of the ground.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 土 literally means soil, earth or dirt.
Which one should you use?
土地 (tochi) is the term for a plot or piece of real estate. In contrast, 陸地 (rikuchi) refers to land in a geographical context, specifically to distinguish it from the ocean.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
tochi
Did you know?
- The character 土 is used in the word for Saturday, 土曜日, because it represents the planet Saturn, the 'earth star'.
- While 土地 refers to property, the word 土地神 refers to a local deity or tutelary god of the land who protects a specific plot of ground.
- In many Japanese compound words, the character 土 can represent 'local' or 'native'-ness, such as in the word for 'local specialties', 土産 (tosan/meibutsu).
Examples in context
- 彼は土地をすべて売った。He sold all his land.This sentence is useful for expressing the sale of all one's land using 土.Tatoeba #101843 by bunbuku, translation #301850 by CK
- 私は土地をたくさん持っている。I hold a lot of land.This sentence is useful for expressing land ownership using 土.Tatoeba #154895 by small_snow, translation #259644 by CM
- この土地とこの家は私の物ですよ。This house and this land are mine.This sentence is useful for claiming ownership of both a house and land using 土.Tatoeba #74991 by bunbuku, translation #328728 by CK
- 私たちは新しい事業展開のために土地を探しています。We are searching for land for our new business expansion.
- 現在の計画は陸地の環境保護に注力しています。The current plan focuses on land conservation.
- 地球上のあらゆる場所で面白い未知の土地を探索したいです。I want to explore fascinating unknown lands in every corner of the earth.
- その美しいお国は訪れる価値があります。That beautiful land is worth visiting.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are discussing a plan to buy property for a garden.
- 美咲 Misakiここに小さな土地を買いませんか。Koko ni chiisana tochi o kaimasen ka.Why don't we buy a small piece of land here?
- 蓮 Renいいですね。でも土地の値段が高いです。Ii desu ne. Demo tochi no nedan ga takai desu.That sounds good. But the price of the land is high.
- 美咲 Misakiもう少し安い土地を探しましょう。Mou sukoshi yasui tochi o sagashimashou.Let's look for some land that is a bit cheaper.
- 蓮 Renそうしましょう。蓮が手伝います。Sou shimashou. Ren ga tetsudaimasu.Let's do that. I, Ren, will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “land” translations and entries 土地, 土, 陸地, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
