1.
base (of a triangle or shape)
The bottom side of a geometric figure, especially a triangle. A standard term in mathematics education.
三角形の底辺の長さを求めなさい。
Find the length of the base of the triangle.
底辺×高さ÷2で面積が求められる。
The area can be calculated with base times height divided by 2.
底辺が5センチ、高さが3センチの三角形の面積を計算しなさい。
Calculate the area of a triangle with a base of 5 cm and a height of 3 cm.
2.
bottom, lower strata, grassroots level
The lowest level or foundation of a society, organization, or hierarchy. Can refer neutrally to the grassroots or foundation, or negatively to the bottom rung of society.
社会の底辺で働く人たち。
People who work at the bottom of society.
底辺から這い上がった成功者の物語。
A story of a successful person who climbed up from the bottom.
スポーツの底辺を広げることが将来の強化につながる。
Broadening the grassroots base of a sport leads to future improvement.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is a standard math term learned in school. Sense 2 can be neutral (底辺を広げる, broaden the base/grassroots) or negative (社会の底辺, bottom of society). In recent internet slang, 底辺 is sometimes used pejoratively to describe low-status jobs or lifestyles, which many consider offensive.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 底辺の長さ: length of the base
- 社会の底辺: bottom of society
- 底辺を広げる: broaden the base
- 底辺から這い上がる: climb up from the bottom