Translation guide
The English word "bottom" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: the lowest part of something, the underside of an object, the lowest position in a ranking, the buttocks, and the deepest part of a body of water or container. Each meaning has different natural Japanese equivalents.
Referring to the lowest point or base of an object, surface, or area.
The most common word for the bottom of a container, bag, sea, etc. Also used for the bottom of a slope or stairs.
箱の底に本が入っている。
There is a book at the bottom of the box.
The bottom of the sea is dark.
Means 'lower part' and is used for the bottom section of structures, screens, or documents. More formal than 底.
There is a menu at the bottom of the screen.
Literally 'the very bottom/lowest'. Used when emphasizing the extreme bottom position in a stack or list.
Please sign at the very bottom of the document.
The surface that faces downward and usually touches the ground or a support.
Also used for the underside of shoes, bags, pots, etc.
The bottom of my shoes has worn out.
Means 'back' or 'reverse side', but can be used for the bottom of flat objects like a plate or a piece of paper when referring to the underside.
Not used for containers or deep objects; use 底 for those.
The least successful or least important person or thing in a group.
Means 'last place' or 'bottom rank'. Used in competitions, tests, and rankings.
He was at the bottom of the test results.
Colloquial term for 'last place'. Often used in casual conversation.
Literally 'the very bottom', used figuratively for the lowest point in life, mood, or economy. Stronger than just 'bottom'.
The part of the body you sit on.
The standard, polite word for buttocks. Safe to use in most situations.
Wipe the baby's bottom.
Same meaning as お尻 but without the polite prefix. Can sound blunt or vulgar depending on context.
Medical/anatomical term for buttocks. Used in formal or clinical contexts.
The lowest interior surface, especially of something deep like a lake, ocean, or deep vessel.
底 (そこ) refers to the interior bottom surface of a container or deep place. 下 (した) means 'under' or 'below' and is not used for the bottom surface itself. 下部 (かぶ) is the lower part of a structure or area, often used in formal descriptions.
For the underside of a flat object like a plate or a piece of paper, 裏 (うら) is more natural than 底. 底 implies a certain depth or container-like shape.
お皿の裏に値段のシールが貼ってある。
There is a price sticker on the bottom of the plate.
I came in last in the marathon.
失業してどん底の気分だ。
I lost my job and feel like I've hit rock bottom.
My bottom hurts.
Give an injection in the buttock.
水底の生物を調査する。
Investigate organisms at the bottom of the water.