Japanese Symbol for

大地

daichi

earth · land · ground

Readings

  • 地 ONチ・ジchi / ji
  • 地 KUNつちtsuchi (soil, ground)
  • 大地だいちdaichi (the great earth)

Meaning

Earth, land, ground, soil. 地 is one of the five classical elements (五行). 大地 (daichi — the great earth) refers to the earth as a whole. 地球 (chikyū) is the scientific name for planet Earth.

地球

chikyū

the Earth (planet)

土地

tochi

land, plot of land

地震

jishin

earthquake

天地

tenchi

heaven and earth, the universe

地平線

chiheisen

horizon (earth-flat-line)

地道

jimichi

steady, solid, down-to-earth

Japan experiences more earthquakes (地震 — jishin) than almost any other country — around 1,500 a year, most too small to feel. The concept of 天地人 (tenchi-jin — heaven, earth, and human) represents the three forces of the universe in East Asian philosophy. 地道 (jimichi — earth-road) means steady, solid, dependable — like the ground beneath your feet.

Learn to read Japanese

Hiragana and katakana are the keys to reading Japanese. Our free trainers get them locked in fast.