1.
soil, earth, ground
The upper layer of earth in which plants grow. Used in scientific, agricultural, and environmental contexts.
土壌を調べる。
To examine the soil.
この地域は土壌が豊かで農業に適している。
This area has rich soil and is suitable for agriculture.
工場からの排水で土壌が汚染された。
The soil was contaminated by wastewater from the factory.
2.
breeding ground, fertile ground (figurative)
An environment or conditions that give rise to something, especially something negative like corruption or extremism.
不正が生まれる土壌がある。
There is a breeding ground for corruption.
差別を生む土壌をなくさなければならない。
We must eliminate the breeding ground for discrimination.
自由な議論ができる土壌が育っていない社会では、改革は進まない。
In a society where the ground for free discussion has not been cultivated, reform will not advance.
USAGE:
More formal and scientific than 土 (everyday word for dirt/soil). 土壌 appears in news, environmental reports, and agriculture. The figurative sense (breeding ground) is also common in news and social commentary.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 土壌汚染: soil contamination
- 土壌改良: soil improvement
- ～が生まれる土壌: breeding ground for ~
- 土壌調査: soil survey