一帯

• Reading: いったい
• Romaji: ittai
• Kanji breakdown: 一 (ichi/itsu) — one, whole; 帯 (tai) — belt, zone
• Pronunciation: /i.t.ta.i/

Meaning

A whole area; an entire region; the surrounding district.

A noun referring to a broad area or zone, often used when describing the extent of a region. Common in news, geography, and descriptions of events affecting a wide area. Frequently appears as この一帯 (this whole area) and 周辺一帯 (the entire surrounding area). Distinct from 地域 (chiiki), which is more administrative.

Examples

1. 台風で海岸一帯が浸水した。 Please explain what on earth happened.
2. この一帯はかつて森だったらしい。 How on earth did things end up like this?
3. 駅の周辺一帯に新しいビルが建っている。 Who in the world is that person?

Usage Guide

Context: geography, news, descriptions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 一 (one, whole) and 帯 (belt, zone, band). Literally 'one belt/zone,' conveying the image of a continuous stretch of area.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal