Translation guide
A naturally raised area of land, smaller than a mountain. In Japanese, the most common word is 丘 (おか), but other terms exist for specific contexts.
A small natural elevation of the earth's surface, often grassy or rounded.
The standard word for a hill in everyday Japanese. It refers to a small, often gentle rise in the land, distinct from a mountain (山).
あの丘の上に小さな神社があります。
There is a small shrine on top of that hill.
When I went down the hill, I saw a lake.
Literally 'small mountain', often used to describe a hill-like feature, especially in place names or descriptive contexts.
Children are playing on the small hill in the park.
A sloped surface, such as on a road or path, often translated as 'hill' in English.
Refers to a slope or incline, commonly used for roads, paths, or any sloped terrain. It is the natural choice when talking about going up or down a hill in an urban or road context.
This hill is steep, isn't it?
It's tough to go up the hill by bicycle.
Specifically an uphill slope. Use when emphasizing the upward direction.
Specifically a downhill slope.
Used in proper nouns for locations, often translated as 'hill'.
A man-made or small natural mound, sometimes translated as 'hill'.
A mound, often artificial or ancient (e.g., burial mound). Can be translated as 'hill' in certain contexts.
An ancient tomb is a large mound.
丘 (おか) is a hill, while 山 (やま) is a mountain. There is no strict height distinction, but 山 is generally larger and more rugged. In everyday speech, a small hill might still be called 山 if it is wooded or has a name, but 丘 is safer for a gentle, grassy rise.
When talking about a hill as a sloped street or path, use 坂 (さか), not 丘. 丘 refers to the geographical feature, not the incline itself.
上り坂が続いて疲れた。
The uphill continued and I got tired.
Please be careful on the downhill because it's easy to pick up speed.