土
also: つし
Meanings
Refers to earth as a material: soil in the ground, dirt on something, or clay-like earth used for pottery. For wet mud specifically, 泥 is often more direct.
After the rain, dirt got on my shoes.
At the pottery class, we kneaded the clay thoroughly.
the ground; the land; the earth
Broader sense of the ground or land beneath people, including the older contrast of earth as opposed to the heavens. In many modern contexts, 地面, 大地, or 地上 may be more explicit.
After the long voyage, the sailors finally set foot on land.
low-quality torinoko paper containing mud
Specialized paper-making term referring to an inferior kind of 鳥の子紙 containing mud; rare outside explanations of traditional paper.
See also: 鳥の子紙
In descriptions of Japanese paper, 土 refers to an inferior torinoko paper containing mud.
Onmyōdō period for avoiding construction
Rare historical or calendrical Onmyōdō term for a period when construction was avoided in the direction of the earth deity. Alternate spellings 犯土, 椎, and 槌.
See also: 陰陽道
In calendrical notes, 土 refers to a period when construction is avoided in the direction of the earth deity.
Usage patterns
- 土を掘るto dig the soil
The children are playing by digging in the soil at the park.
- 〈物〉に土をかけるto cover something with soil
After sowing the seeds, I covered them with soil.
- 土で汚れるto get dirty with soil
My clothes got dirty with soil.
- 〈物〉を土に植えるto plant something in the soil
I planted the flower seeds in the soil.