2

Dirt


Meaning

Dirt, Soil, Earth

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. 土 generally refers to dirt or soil or earth.


Reading

つち

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it uses the kun'yomi reading. Here's a mnemonic to help you to remember it: You look through the soil. You're trying to find something. As you dig and sift, you come across not one but two cheeses (つち). Pull them out of the ground and put them in your mouth. How do the two cheeses taste and compare?


Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 土のグラウンド

    a dirt playing field

    土のかたまり

    lumps of earth

    土のにおい

    the smell of soil

  • 田んぼの土

    soil used in a rice paddy

    プランターの土

    soil for planters

    山の土

    mountain soil

  • 土をかける

    to tip earth onto

    土をほる

    to dig up the soil

    土をかぶせる

    to cover with earth

  • 土にうめる

    to bury in the ground

    土にまぜる

    to mix with soil

    土になる

    to turn into soil

Context Sentences

そのトマト、土がついてるよ。

That tomato has some dirt on it.

これはふじ山の土なんだよ。

This is soil from Mt. Fuji.

モグラが土に入っていった。

The mole was going into the ground.


Kanji Composition