Do I need more explanation for the word terrace?

Question

I am translating a Chinese text about terraces into English. I am not sure whether terraces can be found in the UK or whether native speakers already know what terraces are. If I just say terraces, do you know what I am referring to? Do I need more explanation? The following is an image of terraces in China. Thank you.

Answer 1

We don't have such structures in the UK, but we know what they are. I would call it terracing to distinguish it from the more usual meanings of terrace here as a "stepped standing area", a "row of joined houses" or a "domestic outdoor area".

Lexico has

terracing
_NOUN

Terraced ground.

The Banaue creations, covering thousands of hectares, are the world's finest example of rice terracing.

Answer 2

That word is fine. Here is the definition:

2a: one of usually a series of horizontal ridges made in a hillside to increase cultivatable land, conserve moisture, or minimize erosion

And here is the English-language Wikipedia article about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrace_(earthworks)

Not everyone is familiar with the term, so you can provide more explanation to be clearer. However, "terrace" is the usual word for that farming structure, and most people would probably be able to figure it out from the more common meaning:

1a: a relatively level paved or planted area adjoining a building
b: a colonnaded porch or promenade
c: a flat roof or open platform

By the way, I speak AmE, but I'm not aware of differences in any other dialects.

Answer 3

As others have noted, the word is certainly known in English. It is relatively rare, so it would certainly help to define it and explain. If you're writing a book-length discussion of the subject, taking a paragraph or two to explain in the first chapter wouldn't add unduly to the total length.