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).
There is a small shrine on top of that hill.
丘を下ると、湖が見えた。
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.
公園の小山で子供たちが遊んでいる。
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.
この坂は急ですね。
This hill is steep, isn't it?
自転車で坂を上るのは大変だ。
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'.
Common suffix in place names, e.g., 富士見丘 (Fujimigaoka).
富士見丘は高級住宅街です。
Fujimigaoka is an upscale residential area.
Often used for flat-topped hills or plateaus in place names, e.g., 上野台 (Uenodai).
上野台からは街が一望できる。
You can overlook the town from Uenodai.
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.
古墳は大きな塚です。
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.
The uphill continued and I got tired.
Please be careful on the downhill because it's easy to pick up speed.