Translation guide
The English word 'leveling' can refer to making something flat or even, adjusting to a standard, or progressing in games. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Expressing the action of making a surface level, smooth, or even, such as ground, a floor, or a road.
The most common and general way to say 'to level' or 'to make flat'. Used for surfaces like ground, land, or a table.
地面を平らにしてテントを張った。
We leveled the ground and pitched the tent.
Often used for leveling ground, soil, or a road. Implies smoothing out irregularities.
工事の前に土地をならす必要がある。
We need to level the land before construction.
Written form of ならす, often used in technical or formal contexts.
グラウンドを均す作業。
Work to level the sports ground.
Expressing the idea of bringing things to the same level, standard, or condition, such as leveling differences, scores, or quality.
Refers to leveling or equalizing standards, prices, or conditions. Common in economic or social contexts.
賃金の平準化が進んでいる。
Wage leveling is progressing.
Literally 'eliminate the gap'. Used for leveling differences in ability, income, etc.
教育格差をなくす政策。
Policies to level educational disparities.
To make uniform or even. Used for quality, thickness, or distribution.
厚さを均一にする。
Level the thickness.
Expressing the concept of gaining experience and increasing a character's level in video games.
The most common term for 'leveling' in gaming. Literally 'raising level'.
効率的なレベル上げの方法を教えて。
Tell me an efficient way of leveling.
Means 'raising' or 'training' a character, often including leveling as part of character development.
Expressing the act of completely destroying or flattening a building or structure.
Literally 'make into vacant land'. Used when a building is demolished and the land is cleared.
古い家を更地にした。
They leveled the old house.
To demolish or tear down a building. Implies destruction, not necessarily flattening completely.
そのビルは取り壊される予定だ。
That building is scheduled to be leveled.
When referring to destroying a building, do not use 平らにする (taira ni suru) unless you specifically mean flattening it to the ground. 取り壊す (torikowasu) or 更地にする (sarachi ni suru) are more natural.
Refers to the moment of gaining a level, but can also be used for the process of leveling up.
このダンジョンでレベルアップしよう。
Let's level up in this dungeon.
キャラクターを育成する。
Level up / develop a character.