Translation guide
The English word "land" covers several distinct meanings: the solid ground of the earth, a country or territory, the act of arriving on the ground (as an airplane), and more. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
Referring to the solid part of the earth's surface, not covered by water.
The most common word for land as opposed to sea or air. Used in phrases like 'on land' or 'land and sea'.
The ship approached land.
animals that are active both on land and in the sea
Refers to land as a piece of ground, soil, or a plot. Often used when talking about land ownership, real estate, or the physical ground.
This land is suitable for farming.
Means 'ground' or 'surface of the earth'. Used when referring to the ground under your feet, rather than the concept of land vs. sea.
The airplane landed on the ground.
Referring to a nation, state, or region.
The standard word for 'country'. Use this for most cases when 'land' means a nation.
Japan is a beautiful land.
I came from a distant land.
Refers to a country's territory or national land. More formal and often used in geographical or political contexts.
Literary or poetic word for 'land' or 'earth', often evoking a sense of vastness or mother earth. Not used for political entities.
The action of coming down to the ground from the air.
The standard verb for an aircraft landing. Literally 'touch ground'.
The airplane landed safely.
General verb meaning 'to descend' or 'to get off'. Used for birds, insects, or people landing after a jump. Not typically used for aircraft.
Specifically means 'to land on water' (e.g., a seaplane).
Figurative use: to succeed in getting something desired.
Figurative use: to arrive in a difficult or unpleasant state.
The loanword ランド (rando) is only used in specific compound words like ディズニーランド (Disneyland) or グリーンランド (Greenland). It is not a general translation for 'land'.
陸 (riku) is land as opposed to sea or air. 土地 (tochi) is a piece of land, often with legal or agricultural connotations. 地面 (jimen) is the ground or surface of the earth. Choose based on context.
They own a lot of land.
The plane will land in 20 minutes.
日本の国土は狭い。
Japan's land area is small.
祖先の大地を守る。
Protect the land of our ancestors.
鳥が枝に降りた。
The bird landed on the branch.
The seaplane landed on the lake.
The company landed a big contract.
In the end, he landed with the responsibility.