土 台(どだい)

どだい

noun, adverb

foundation; base; from the outset

1. foundation; base; groundwork

The underlying structure or basis on which something is built, either literally (building foundation) or figuratively (basis for an argument).

家(いえ)の土台(どだい)をしっかり作(つく)る。

Build a solid foundation for the house.

基礎(きそ)教育(きょういく)が将来(しょうらい)の土台(どだい)になる。

Basic education becomes the foundation for the future.

その計画(けいかく)は土台(どだい)からおかしい。

That plan is flawed from the very foundation.

2. from the start; fundamentally; to begin with

Used adverbially to emphasize that something is impossible or wrong from the very beginning.

土台(どだい)無理(むり)な話(はなし)だ。

It's an impossible request to begin with.

その計画(けいかく)は土台(どだい)からおかしい。

That plan is flawed from the very foundation.

準備(じゅんび)もしないで合格(ごうかく)しようなんて、土台(どだい)無理(むり)な話(はなし)だ。

Trying to pass without any preparation is impossible from the start.

Composition: 土(ど) (earth, ground) + 台(だい) (base, platform).

Sense 1 - foundation

Concrete use

建物(たてもの)の土台(どだい): building foundation
基礎(きそ)工事(こうじ): foundation work

Usage

議論(ぎろん)の土台(どだい): basis of an argument
信頼(しんらい)の土台(どだい): foundation of trust
土台(どだい)を築(きず)く: to build a foundation

Sense 2 - adverbial

Emphasizes impossibility or fundamental problems:

土台(どだい)無理(むり): impossible from the start
土台(どだい)からして間違(まちが)い: wrong from the beginning

Note: In adverbial use, often followed by negative expressions or criticism.

Similar words

基礎(きそ): foundation, basis
基盤(きばん): foundation, base
根底(こんてい): root, basis
根本(こんぽん): fundamental

Related Words

Synonym: 基礎(きそ) (foundation)

Synonym: 基盤(きばん) (base; platform)

Compare: 根底(こんてい) (root, basis)

Compare: 根本(こんぽん) (fundamental)

Compare: 基本(きほん) (basis, foundation)

Compare: 支柱(しちゅう) (pillar)

Compare: 岩盤(がんばん) (bedrock)

general

Added 2026.1.19 8:54 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

07000/07146_dodai