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.
カメは陸生の爬虫類です。
Turtles are terrestrial reptiles.
Literally 'on land'. Used more broadly for anything related to land, including sports and ecosystems.
陸上の生態系は多様です。
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.
地上の植物は日光を必要とします。
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.
地球の重力は月の6倍です。
Terrestrial gravity is six times that of the moon.
Can also mean 'earthly' in a more poetic or religious sense, contrasting with heavenly.
彼は地上の富よりも精神的な豊かさを求めた。
He sought spiritual richness rather than terrestrial wealth.
Means 'of this world', often used in religious or philosophical contexts to contrast with the afterlife or spiritual realm.
この世の悩みから解放されたい。
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.
The standard term for terrestrial broadcasting. Often used in compounds like 地上波テレビ (terrestrial TV).
この番組は地上波で放送されています。
This program is broadcast on terrestrial TV.
In astronomy, a planet composed primarily of silicate rocks or metals.
The standard astronomical term for 'terrestrial planet'.
火星は地球型惑星です。
Mars is a terrestrial planet.
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.
Specifically 'digital terrestrial broadcasting'. Commonly abbreviated as 地デジ (ちデジ).
地デジは画質がきれいです。
Digital terrestrial broadcasting has clear picture quality.
Literally 'rocky planet', used synonymously with terrestrial planet.
太陽系には4つの岩石惑星があります。
There are four terrestrial planets in the solar system.