Translation guide
The English word 'terrestrial' has several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners express the most common ones in Japanese, from 'land-based' to 'earthly' and 'TV broadcast'.
Describing something that lives or grows on land, as opposed to water or air.
The most direct and common translation for 'terrestrial' in biology. Used for plants and animals that live on land.
Turtles are terrestrial reptiles.
Literally 'on land'. Used more broadly for anything related to land, including sports and ecosystems.
Terrestrial ecosystems are diverse.
Means 'above ground' or 'on the surface of the earth'. Often used for things that happen on land, like terrestrial broadcasting.
Terrestrial plants need sunlight.
Referring to the planet Earth or worldly matters, often in contrast to heaven or space.
The standard word for 'Earth's' or 'terrestrial' in a planetary sense. Used in science and everyday contexts.
Terrestrial gravity is six times that of the moon.
Can also mean 'earthly' in a more poetic or religious sense, contrasting with heavenly.
Means 'of this world', often used in religious or philosophical contexts to contrast with the afterlife or spiritual realm.
I want to be free from terrestrial worries.
Referring to television or radio signals transmitted from land-based towers, as opposed to satellite or cable.
In astronomy, a planet composed primarily of silicate rocks or metals.
Both can translate 'terrestrial', but 地上 (ちじょう) emphasizes 'on the surface of the earth' or 'above ground', while 陸上 (りくじょう) emphasizes 'on land' as opposed to water. For biology, 陸生 (りくせい) is more precise.
He sought spiritual richness rather than terrestrial wealth.
Specifically 'digital terrestrial broadcasting'. Commonly abbreviated as 地デジ (ちデジ).
Digital terrestrial broadcasting has clear picture quality.
Literally 'rocky planet', used synonymously with terrestrial planet.
There are four terrestrial planets in the solar system.