• 土つち — soil, earth
• 土地とち — land, plot
• 土曜日どようび — Saturday
• 土木どぼく — civil engineering
• 土砂どしゃ — earth and sand / landslide
• 土産みやげ — souvenir (lit. “local produce”)

“土” is one of the fundamental elements in Japanese culture and language. It often appears in compound words related to land, building, and days of the week. With just three strokes, it carries a deep connection to the natural world.

土つちの上うえを歩あるきます。
I walk on the ground.

土曜日どようびに 友達ともだちと 会あいます。
I’m meeting a friend on Saturday.

This kanji is usually read as “tsuchi”, like in “on the ground” or “digging soil.” In compound words, it’s often read as “do”, like in “Saturday” or “civil engineering.” Some words, like “miyage” (souvenir), use special readings.