地
Meanings
Physical ground, land, or soil. Common in everyday contexts.
The ground shook in the earthquake.
The ground is muddy from the rain.
the region in question; the local area
Refers to a specific place or locality, often in contrast to other areas.
In the local area, a festival has been held since ancient times.
Used in compound words like 地肌 (bare skin) or 地黒 (naturally dark skin). Rarely used alone.
The word 地肌 can refer to bare skin.
Underlying base or background, as in 地色 (background color) or 地の文 (background text).
This paper has a white background and is easy to write on.
A person's inherent character or disposition. Often used in phrases like 地が出る (one's true nature comes out).
When he drinks, his true nature comes out.
narrative; descriptive part of a story
In literature, the descriptive or narrative passages as opposed to dialogue. Often 地の文.
The narrative passages in the novel are too long.
real life; actuality
The real world as opposed to fiction or ideals. Used in expressions like 地で行く (to go in real life).
He is a person who seems to live out the life of a novel's protagonist.
In the game of Go, the territory surrounded by stones.
Black expanded its territory.
noh chorus
In Noh theater, the chorus that sits at the side and chants.
See also: 地謡
In Noh, the chorus narrates the background of the story.
accompaniment music
In Japanese dance, the musical accompaniment.
In Japanese dance, one dances to the accompaniment music.
basic phrase
In Japanese music, a basic, often repetitive phrase.
The basic phrase of this piece is a simple repetition.
base part
In shamisen music, the base part when multiple shamisens play together.
In shamisen ensembles, the base part supports the whole.