1.
bedrock; rock bed; rock stratum
A solid layer of rock beneath soil and loose material. The geological foundation.
硬い岩盤にぶつかった。
We hit hard bedrock.
この地域は岩盤が浅いので地震に強い。
This area is resistant to earthquakes because the bedrock is shallow.
岩盤浴に行ってきた。
I went to a hot stone bath.
2.
solid base; bedrock (figurative); core; stronghold
Used figuratively for a firm, unshakeable foundation of support, often in political or business contexts.
岩盤支持層は崩れていない。
The bedrock support base hasn't crumbled.
岩盤規制の改革は難しい。
Reforming deeply entrenched regulations is difficult.
与党の岩盤支持層が揺らぎ始めた。
The ruling party's core support base has started to waver.
Compound of 岩 (rock) and 盤 (plate/base). The literal geological meaning extends naturally into figurative use, especially in Japanese political discourse where 岩盤支持層 (bedrock supporters) and 岩盤規制 (rock-solid regulations that resist reform) are common phrases.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 岩盤浴: hot stone bath — a spa treatment where one lies on heated rock
- 岩盤支持層: core support base; bedrock supporters
- 岩盤規制: rock-solid regulations; deeply entrenched regulations
- 岩盤を掘る: to dig into bedrock
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 地盤: ground; foundation — refers to the ground or foundation (geological or political territory), less about hardness
- 基盤: base; foundation — abstract foundation (of a system, economy, etc.)
- 土台: foundation; base — the literal or figurative base on which something is built