JAPANAN 日本語
Native Speaker Kanji Series
3 strokes
土 (earth)
Core Meaning
earth · soil · ground
つち（名）
音読み On-yomi
ド・ト
- 土曜日どようびSaturday
- 土地とちland / plot
- 土台どだいfoundation
訓読み Kun-yomi
つち
- 土つちsoil / earth
- 土色つちいろearthy colour
- 赤土あかつちred clay
Etymology — pictographic origin
origin
Memory Hook
土 = a cross on the ground. The bottom line is the earth, the top is what grows from it. ド = "DOwn in the dirt!" つち — feel the soil in your hands.
Writing Practice — tap to watch, trace, or quiz yourself
Touch Practice
Tap Watch to see the stroke order, or Practice to write 土 from memory.
Exercises
✦ Reading — write how to read the highlighted kanji
1
土ようびにそうじします。
I will clean on Saturday.
2
ほっかいどうは土ちがひろいです。
Hokkaido has a vast land area.
✦ Writing — write the correct kanji in the blank
3
ようびはかいものにいきます。
I will go shopping on Saturday.
4
にわのをほります。
I will dig the garden soil.
文化ノート
Cultural Note
土俵 — the sumo ring is sacred earth
土俵 (どひょう) literally means "earth bale" — built from clay and sand. It is sacred Shinto ground: wrestlers throw purification salt before each match. The 土 of the ring isn't just dirt — it's a living Shinto space.
どひょう · sumo ring
すもう · sumo
しおをまく · salt purification
Native Speaker's NoteWhat your textbook won't tell you
①
⚠ 土 vs 士 — 士 (さむらい, warrior) looks almost identical — but the top stroke of 士 is LONGER than the bottom. For 土, the bottom stroke is longer. Remember: earth (土) has a wide base.土（つち）≠ 士（さむらい）— top vs bottom length
②
土 in construction — 土木 (どぼく, civil engineering) is the foundation of infrastructure. Japan's mountainous terrain means constant 土木 work — tunnels, bridges, earthquake retrofitting.どぼく · どだい · とち
Ready to claim 土?
Tap below to save your progress and return to the index.
© JAPANAN · japananjapanesetutoring.com · Personal study use only
N5 Kanji · 土 · Sheet 10 of 11