上陸

じょうりく

landing, disembarkation

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"上陸" (じょうりく) primarily means "landing" or "disembarkation," referring to the act of arriving on land from a ship, airplane, or other means of transport. It is often used in military contexts (troops landing on an island), transportation (planes landing), and metaphorically for entering new markets or territories.

Common Contexts

  • Military operations: troops or forces landing on enemy territory.
  • Aviation: airplanes landing at airports.
  • Business: companies "landing" or entering new markets, often expressed as "市場に上陸する."

Collocations and Patterns

  • 敵の島に上陸する (to land on an enemy island): used in military or historical contexts.
  • 空港に上陸する (to land at an airport): used for airplanes.
  • 新市場に上陸する (to enter a new market): metaphorical use in business.

Register and Nuance

"上陸" is a formal noun and verb (when combined with する). It is more formal and specific than general words like "着く" (to arrive). It often implies a physical or metaphorical arrival onto a new territory.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "上陸" with "着陸" (ちゃくりく), which specifically means "landing" of aircraft. "上陸" can be used for ships and troops as well, and also metaphorically. Remember that "着陸" is limited to aircraft landing, while "上陸" is broader.

Example Sentences

ぐんたいはよあけまえにてきのしまにじょうりくした。

The troops landed on the enemy island before dawn.

あたらしいしじょうにじょうりくするために、かいしゃはげんちほうじんをせつりつした。

To enter the new market, the company established a local subsidiary.

ひこうきがぶじにくうこうにじょうりくした。

The airplane safely landed at the airport.