地盤

• Reading: じばん
• Romaji: jiban
• Kanji breakdown: 地 (ji/chi) — earth, ground; 盤 (ban) — flat surface, base
• Pronunciation: /d͡ʑibaɴ/

Meaning

Ground; base; foundation; constituency. The underlying basis upon which something is built or supported.

Used literally for the ground or soil foundation of a structure, and figuratively for a political base, established position, or social foothold. 地盤が弱い means the ground (or political base) is weak. 地盤沈下 refers to land subsidence but is also used figuratively for declining influence.

Examples

1. この地域は地盤が軟弱なため、建設には注意が必要だ。 The ground in this area is soft, so care is needed during construction.
2. 彼は父親から政治的な地盤を引き継いだ。 He inherited his father's political base.
3. 地盤を固めてから次のステップに進むことが重要だ。 It is important to consolidate one's foundation before moving on to the next step.

Usage Guide

Context: construction, politics, business strategy

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 地 (earth, ground) and 盤 (flat surface, board, base). Together they indicate the base layer upon which things rest.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal