1.
mainland
The main body of a country's territory, as opposed to islands or overseas territories.
本土に戻る。
To return to the mainland.
沖縄から本土へ飛ぶ。
To fly from Okinawa to the mainland.
本土と離島では気候が違う。
The climate differs between the mainland and remote islands.
本土から船で島に渡るには3時間かかる。
It takes three hours to cross from the mainland to the island by boat.
本土では手に入らないものが、この島ではたくさん売られている。
Things that you can't get on the mainland are sold in abundance on this island.
本土 means the main landmass of a country, as opposed to islands, overseas territories, or outlying areas.
JAPAN CONTEXT:
In Japan, 本土 usually refers to the four main islands (本州, 北海道, 九州, 四国) as opposed to 沖縄 or 離島 (remote islands). This usage is especially common in Okinawa, where people distinguish between 本土 and their own islands.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 本土に戻る: to return to the mainland
- 本土から離れた島: an island far from the mainland
RELATED WORDS:
- 本州: Honshu (the largest of Japan's main islands)
- 離島: remote island
- 内地: mainland (older term, sometimes used in Hokkaido and Okinawa to refer to Honshu)