地滑り

• Reading: じすべり
• Romaji: jisuberi
• Kanji breakdown: 地 (chi/ji) — ground, earth; 滑 (katsu/sube-) — slide, slip
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.sɯ.be.ɾi/

Meaning

Landslide; landslip. The movement of a mass of rock, soil, or debris down a slope, often triggered by heavy rain, earthquakes, or erosion.

A compound noun used in geology and disaster management contexts. Japan has steep, rain-prone terrain and is one of the most landslide-prone countries in the world. The term is also used metaphorically in politics: 地滑り的勝利 means a 'landslide victory,' borrowed from the English political usage.

Examples

1. 集中豪雨により山の斜面で地滑りが起き、道路が数日間にわたって通行止めになった。 Heavy concentrated rainfall triggered a landslide on a mountain slope, closing the road for several days.
2. 地滑りの危険がある急傾斜地には警戒区域の標識が立てられている。 Warning zone signs are erected on steep slopes where there is a risk of landslide.
3. 選挙で与党が地滑り的な大勝を収め、議会での影響力が一気に高まった。 The ruling party achieved a landslide victory in the election, dramatically increasing its influence in parliament.

Usage Guide

Context: geology, natural disasters, politics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 地 (ground, earth) and 滑り (slipping, sliding), from the verb 滑る (to slide). The word describes the phenomenon of earth literally sliding downhill.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal