Translation guide
Refers to land that has never been cultivated or used for farming. In Japanese, this concept is expressed with specific terms for uncultivated land, often with nuances of wildness or potential.
Land that has never been plowed or used for agriculture.
Direct translation of 'virgin soil', used in both literal and figurative contexts. Common in written and formal contexts.
A field or topic that has not been explored or developed before.
処女地 (shojochi) is the most direct equivalent for both literal and figurative 'virgin soil'. For agricultural contexts, 未耕地 (mikouchi) is more precise. For metaphorical use, 未開拓の分野 (mikaitaku no bunya) is natural.
The pioneers cultivated the virgin soil.
Literally 'uncultivated land'. A more technical or descriptive term, neutral in tone.
There is still vast virgin soil in this region.
Implies undeveloped or uncivilized land, often with a nuance of wilderness. Can be used for virgin soil in a broader sense.
Clear virgin soil to make farmland.
Refers to wild fields or wilderness, not necessarily soil but often implies uncultivated land. More poetic or literary.
They tilled the virgin soil and grew wheat.
This research is virgin soil.
Literally 'new world' or 'new land', often used for new opportunities or frontiers. Can imply virgin soil metaphorically.
He moved abroad seeking virgin soil.