JLPT · Level 50
45 words
Japanese word
赤道
Pronunciation
Romajisekidō
Meaning
- nounequator
Example
赤道の近くは一年中暖かいです。seki dō no chika ku wa ichi nen jū atata ka i de su
It is warm near the equator all year.
More examples
赤道は地球を北半球と南半球に分けています。seki dō wa chi kyū o kita han kyū to minami han kyū ni wa ke te i ma su
The equator divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Core concept
It forms the great circle that lies equally far from the North and South Poles and divides Earth into two halves.
Common phrases
赤道を越えるseki dō o ko e ru
cross the equator
赤道に近いseki dō ni chika i
close to the equator
赤道から離れるseki dō ka ra hana re ru
move away from the equator
Definition in Japanese
地球の中心を通る平面で地球を切ったとき、北半球と南半球の境となる円。chi kyū no chū shin o tō ru hei men de chi kyū o ki tta to ki kita han kyū to minami han kyū no sakai to na ru en
Word origin
赤道 (sekidō, "equator") is a Sino-Japanese compound made from 赤 (seki, "red") and 道 (dō, "path"), whose combined literal meaning is "red path".
Usage tips
- Many tropical rainforests grow near the equator because warm temperatures and abundant rainfall occur there throughout the year.