赤道
解説 Definition
地球を北半球と南半球に分ける、緯度0度の想像上の線です。赤道は地球上で最も長い緯線で、この地域は熱帯気候が支配的です。
The equator is an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth that divides it into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is often mentioned in geography, climate, and maps because areas near it are usually very warm.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
equal を知っていれば入りやすい単語。equator は「地球をほぼ equal に二分する線」と結びつけると定着しやすいです。北と南を分ける基準線で、map や globe の説明では on the equator, near the equator, regions around the equator の形でよく出ます。暑い・humid・tropical の地域イメージと一緒に覚えると、単なる地理用語で終わりません。Ecuador とつづりが少し似ていますが、equator は国名ではなく“線”を指す名詞です。
Link `equator` with `equal`. It helps to picture a line that cuts the Earth into two almost equal halves. Also remember common phrases like `on the equator` and `near the equator`, and do not confuse it with `Ecuador`, which is a country name.
例文
The equator divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres.
赤道は地球を北半球と南半球に分けます。
Countries near the equator experience tropical climates.
赤道近くの国々は熱帯気候を経験しています。
The equator is located at zero degrees latitude.
赤道は緯度0度に位置しています。
equator の類義語・関連語
派生語
紛らわしい語
equator の語源・成り立ち Etymology
「equator」はラテン語 aequator「等しくするもの」に由来し、語根 aequ- は「平らな・等しい」を表します。赤道で昼と夜の長さがほぼ等しくなる感覚が名に残っており、地球を二つに均等に分ける線だと見ると覚えやすい。equal や equate も同じ語根です。
"Equator" comes from Latin "aequator," meaning "that which makes equal," from a root meaning "equal" or "level." The name reflects the idea that this line divides the earth into two equal halves. It is also linked with the sense of balance, as day and night are nearly equal there at certain times. Related English words include "equal" and "equate."
外部辞書で調べる
この単語を英単語クイズで覚えよう