land

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings are りく and ろく, and the kun reading is おか. It has 11 strokes. It appears in words for land and continents.
• Basic usage: 陸地 is read りくち and 大陸 is read たいりく.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 陸地 / 大陸
  • 陸地 means land and is read りくち. It refers to land as distinct from the sea.
  • 船の窓から遠くの陸地が見えてきた。 means “Distant land came into view through the ship's window.”
  • 大陸 means continent and is read たいりく. It refers to a continent, a large landmass distinct from an island.
  • 地図の中央に大きな大陸を描いた。 means “I drew a large continent in the center of the map.”