terrestrial

/təˈrestriəl/ (bre, ipa) · /təˈrestriəl/ (ame, ipa) · /tə-ˈre-st(r)ē-əl -ˈres-chəl -ˈresh-/ (ame, mw)

terrestrial — 形容詞

  • terrestrialpositive
  • more terrestrialcomparative
  • most terrestrialsuperlative

1. relating to the planet Earth, especially when the focus is on the physical, mate

1.形容詞B2
釋義

地球的

與地球相關的；地球上的

relating to the planet Earth, especially when the focus is on the physical, material world in contrast to outer space or spiritual matters.

例句

The telescope was designed to study terrestrial weather patterns from space.

這台望遠鏡的設計目的是從太空研究地球的天氣模式。

attributive: terrestrial + weather patterns

Wei's research focuses on terrestrial ecosystems and how they cope with rising temperatures.

魏的研究聚焦於地球生態系統，以及它們如何因應氣溫上升。

collocation: terrestrial ecosystem

同義詞
  • earthly

    commoner alternative; also carries the sense 'material rather than spiritual'

  • worldly

    emphasises human affairs and material life; often contrasts with spiritual

反義詞

文法句型

terrestrial + noun

be terrestrial

用法筆記

In this sense, 'terrestrial' is most often used before a noun (attributive position). It can sound overly formal in casual conversation — 'on Earth' or 'Earth's' is usually simpler.

常見錯誤

❌The terrestrial environment of Mars is very cold.
✅The environment on Mars is very cold.
💡'Terrestrial' means 'relating to Earth,' not 'relating to land or planets in general.'

2. describing a planet with a solid, rocky surface like Earth, as opposed to a gas

2.形容詞C1
釋義

類地

像地球一樣具有岩石固體表面的

describing a planet with a solid, rocky surface like Earth, as opposed to a gas giant or ice giant.

例句

Mars is classed as a terrestrial planet because it has a hard, rocky surface.

火星被歸類為類地行星，因為它擁有堅硬的岩石表面。

classed / classified as a terrestrial planet

The four inner planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars — are all terrestrial.

四顆內行星——水星、金星、地球和火星——都是類地行星。

predicative use: are terrestrial

同義詞
  • Earth-like

    less technical; used in popular science writing

  • rocky

    informal; describes the solid surface but not the full geological classification

反義詞
  • gas giant

    a large planet made mainly of hydrogen and helium, e.g. Jupiter or Saturn

  • Jovian

    formal term for Jupiter-like planets

文法句型

terrestrial planet

be terrestrial

用法筆記

Almost always paired with 'planet' or 'world' in astronomy writing. The opposite is 'gas giant' (like Jupiter) or 'ice giant' (like Neptune).

常見錯誤

❌Saturn is a terrestrial planet.
✅Saturn is a gas giant, not a terrestrial planet.
💡Only the inner four planets of our solar system are terrestrial.

3. describing a plant or animal that makes its natural home on solid ground — as op

3.形容詞C1
釋義

陸生；陸棲

生長或生活在陸地上而非水中或空中的

describing a plant or animal that makes its natural home on solid ground — as opposed to those that live in water, up in trees, or by flying.

例句

Frogs are not purely terrestrial animals — they need water to reproduce.

青蛙並非純粹的陸生動物——牠們需要水才能繁殖。

purely terrestrial + negation for contrast

The nature reserve is home to both terrestrial birds and various sea birds.

這座自然保護區內既有陸鳥，也有各種海鳥。

contrast: terrestrial birds vs. sea birds

同義詞
  • land-dwelling

    plain English equivalent; preferred in non-scientific contexts

  • ground-dwelling

    specifically refers to animals that live on the ground rather than in trees or burrows

反義詞

文法句型

terrestrial + noun (animal / plant / species)

be terrestrial

用法筆記

Commonly contrasts with 'aquatic' (water), 'arboreal' (tree-dwelling), or 'aerial' (air-borne). In biology writing, 'terrestrial' specifies habitat type.

常見錯誤

❌Rabbits are terrestrial animals that live in holes.
✅Rabbits are land animals that live in holes.
💡'Terrestrial' sounds too technical for everyday descriptions of common animals; use 'land' instead.

4. describing a broadcasting method in which television or radio signals travel fro

4.形容詞B2
釋義

地面播送

透過地面設備而非衛星傳送的

describing a broadcasting method in which television or radio signals travel from ground-level equipment, not via satellites orbiting above the planet.

例句

Many rural areas still rely on terrestrial television because satellite dishes cost too much.

許多鄉村地區仍然依賴地面電視，因為衛星天線太貴了。

collocation: terrestrial television

Terrestrial radio signals cannot cross the ocean without help from satellites.

地面無線電訊號若無衛星協助，無法跨海傳送。

contrast: terrestrial radio vs. satellite

同義詞
  • ground-based

    more general term; used for any equipment on the Earth's surface

  • over-the-air

    common in North America; refers to signals sent through the air without cable or satellite

反義詞
  • satellite

    refers to signals sent via orbiting satellites

  • cable

    refers to signals delivered through underground or overhead wires

文法句型

terrestrial + television / broadcasting / channel / radio

用法筆記

Frequently appears in news stories about broadcasting policy. The main contrast is with 'satellite TV' or 'cable TV'. In everyday speech, 'free-to-air' is a common synonym in British English.