1.
bottom, base
The lowest part or underside of a container, body of water, or structure.
コップの底にヒビが入っている。
There's a crack in the bottom of the glass.
海の底に沈没船がある。
There is a sunken ship at the bottom of the sea.
靴の底がすり減ってきた。
The soles of my shoes are wearing thin.
2.
depths, rock bottom
The lowest point figuratively — of emotions, an economy, ability, or a situation.
景気は底を打った。
The economy has hit bottom.
心の底からうれしい。
I'm happy from the bottom of my heart.
彼の実力は底が知れないほど深い。
His ability is so deep that you can't see the bottom of it.
USAGE:
Do not confuse with the demonstrative pronoun そこ (there), which is written in kana only. The noun 底 always uses kanji in standard writing.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 心の底: the bottom of one's heart
- 海の底: the bottom of the sea
- 底を打つ: to hit bottom, to bottom out
- 底が知れない: unfathomable, bottomless
- 底力: latent strength, hidden reserves