地 means “earth, ground”

ち · chi

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

チ, ジ

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 2 · 6 strokes

The story

Soil (土) given purpose (也): the ground that supports all life. In Japanese culture, 地 is one of the five classical elements (五大, godai). The word 地震 (jishin, earthquake) reminds the Japanese that the earth beneath is always alive, shaping their architecture and spirit of preparedness.

Used in 地震 (jishin, earthquake), 地図 (chizu, map), and 土地 (tochi, land/property)

More from Earth & Minerals

• 岩 rock
• 玉 jewel
• 鉄 iron
• 穴 hole
• 原 plain
• 銅 copper
• 炭 charcoal
• 泥 mud
• 宝 treasure
• 陸 land
• 掘 dig
• 鋼 steel

Learn 地 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.