土
🌿 Nature3 strokesJLPT N5
Earth / Soil
つち・ど
📖 Meaning & Origin
The 土 radical represents earth, soil, and the ground. Originally a pictogram of a plant sprouting from the ground. It appears in kanji about land, places, and earthen things.
📚 Kanji by JLPT Level
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土
ど / つち
earth, soil, ground
地
ち / じ
ground, earth, place
💡 Teacher's Memory Tip
A cross (+) sitting on a flat base — like a sprout pushing up through the soil. 土 = earth, ground, something rooted.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does this radical mean?
The 土 radical means 'earth' or 'soil.' It represents the ground we stand on, which is why it appears in 地 (ground/place) and words about land.
Which N5 kanji have this radical?
N5 kanji with 土: 土 (earth/soil), 地 (ground/earth/place — earth + a snake-like stroke indicating location).
How can I remember this radical?
A cross (+) on a base line — a plant sprouting from soil. 土 = anything rooted in the ground.
Other N5 Radicals
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