Japanese word

領土

Pronunciation

Romajiryōdo

Meaning

  • nounterritory

Example

その王国は広い領土を持っています。so no ō koku wa hiro i ryō do o mo tte i ma su

That kingdom has a large territory.

Illustration for 領土 (territory)

More examples

その島がどの国の領土か、地図で確認しました。so no shima ga do no kuni no ryō do ka chi zu de kaku nin shi ma shi ta

I checked on a map which country the island belongs to.

Core concept

Focuses on an area regarded as belonging within the authority, influence, or proper field of a particular entity.

Common phrases

  • 領土を守るryō do o mamo ru

    defend one's territory

  • 領土を拡大するryō do o kaku dai su ru

    expand one's territory

  • 領土をめぐる争いryō do o me gu ru araso i

    territorial dispute

Similar words

領地ryōchi: Land held or ruled by a person, family, ruler, or state.
領域ryōiki: An area within the control, influence, or proper scope of an entity.

Definition in Japanese

国家などの統治が及ぶ土地。kok ka na do no tō chi ga oyo bu to chi

Word origin

The compound 領土 (ryōdo) joins 領 (ryō, "jurisdiction") with 土 (do, "land"), giving the sense of land under a ruling power.

Usage tips

  • English speakers meet territory in phrases such as territorial waters, where it refers to an area under a state's authority rather than only dry land.

Other meanings

  • domainnoun

Word lists with this word