土
🎯 JLPT N5 Kanji

土 – Earth / Soil (Do / Tsuchi Kanji)

Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 土.

MeaningEarth / Soil
Strokes3
JLPT LevelN5
GradeGrade 1
読

Kanji 土 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi

土 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.

🈶 Onyomi (音読み) ド (do)

Used in compound words such as 土曜日 (doyoubi – Saturday) and 土産 (miyage, note irregular reading – souvenir).

🈺 Kunyomi (訓読み) つち (tsuchi)

Used as a standalone word meaning soil or earth, such as 土だらけ (tsuchi darake – covered in dirt).

筆

土 Stroke Order – How to Write 土

土 is written with 3 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.

1
→
2
→
3

💡 Tip: Write the horizontal stroke first, then the vertical stroke through the center, finishing with the bottom horizontal stroke.

語

Common Words Using 土 (Vocabulary List)

Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 土, worth memorizing first.

土ど 曜よう 日び doyoubi
Saturday
土と 地ち tochi
Land, plot of ground
土産みやげ miyage
Souvenir (irregular reading)
粘ねん 土ど nendo
Clay
風ふう 土ど fuudo
Climate, natural features of a region
土ど 曜よう 日び 朝あさ doyoubi no asa
Saturday morning
土ど 木ぼく 工こう 事じ doboku kouji
Civil engineering work
国こく 土ど kokudo
National land, territory
土ど 台だい dodai
Foundation, base
赤あか 土つち akatsuchi
Red clay/soil
例

Example Sentences with 土

See 土 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.

1

土曜日に買い物に行きます。

どようびに　かいものに　いきます。

Doyoubi ni kaimono ni ikimasu.

I will go shopping on Saturday.

2

子供たちは土で遊んでいます。

こどもたちは　つちで　あそんでいます。

Kodomotachi wa tsuchi de asonde imasu.

The children are playing in the dirt.

3

旅行のお土産を買いました。

りょこうの　おみやげを　かいました。

Ryokou no omiyage o kaimashita.

I bought souvenirs from the trip.

4

この土地は農業に適しています。

この　とちは　のうぎょうに　てきしています。

Kono tochi wa nougyou ni tekishite imasu.

This land is suitable for agriculture.

5

粘土で花瓶を作りました。

ねんどで　かびんを　つくりました。

Nendo de kabin o tsukurimashita.

I made a vase out of clay.

?

Frequently Asked Questions About 土

What does the Kanji 土 mean?

土 means earth or soil. It is a common JLPT N5 kanji and appears in many everyday words such as 土曜日 (doyoubi, Saturday) and 土地 (tochi, land).

What is the Onyomi reading of 土?

The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) readings of 土 are ド (do), as in 土曜日 (doyoubi, Saturday), and ト (to), used in words such as 土地 (tochi, land).

What is the Kunyomi reading of 土?

The Kunyomi (native Japanese) reading of 土 is つち (tsuchi), meaning "soil, earth, ground," as in 土だらけ (tsuchi darake, covered in dirt).

How many strokes does 土 have?

土 is written with 3 strokes.

Is 土 a JLPT N5 kanji?

Yes, 土 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is essential for the days of the week, since it forms 土曜日 (Saturday).

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