下地(したじ)

したじ
noun
groundwork; foundation; base coat
1. groundwork; foundation; predisposition
The underlying preparation, background, or natural aptitude that serves as a basis for something. Used for skills, knowledge, or character traits that form a foundation.
英語(えいご)の下地(したじ)がある。
I have a foundation in English.
子(こ)どもの頃(ころ)のピアノが音楽(おんがく)の下地(したじ)になった。
Piano lessons as a child became the foundation for my music.
成功(せいこう)するには努力(どりょく)の下地(したじ)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
To succeed, you need a foundation of hard work.
2. base coat; primer; undercoat
A preparatory layer applied before the main coating in painting, lacquerwork, or cosmetics.
壁(かべ)に下地(したじ)を塗(ぬ)る。
To apply a base coat to the wall.
化粧(けしょう)の下地(したじ)をしっかり塗(ぬ)ると仕上(しあ)がりが違(ちが)う。
If you apply makeup primer properly, the finish is different.
漆(うるし)塗(ぬ)りは下地(したじ)作(づく)りに時間(じかん)がかかる。
Lacquerwork takes a long time for the base preparation.

Usage

Sense 1 is used abstractly for the background or aptitude someone has that makes further development possible. Sense 2 is used concretely in painting, cosmetics, and craftwork.

Common collocations

Similar words

基礎(きそ) is a more formal, general word for "foundation" or "basis." 下地(したじ) implies something pre-existing or latent, like an aptitude or preparation, rather than a systematic base of knowledge.

Related Words

Related: ファンデーション (foundation (makeup))
Related: コンシーラー (concealer (makeup))
general
Added 2026.3.5 15:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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