mountain
山 centers on the idea of a mountain: a large, elevated landform rising prominently above its surroundings.
a lot; lots; plenty; many; a large number; much; a great deal; a good deal
mountain; hill
Yamagata (city, prefecture)
mountain climbing; mountaineering; ascent of a mountain
lush mountain; green mountain
Mount Fuji; Mt. Fuji; Fujiyama; Fuji-san
volcano
hill; knoll
mine (ore)
place near the mountains
high mountain; alpine mountain
summit (of a mountain)
great mountain; large mountain
wasabi (Wasabia japonica); Japanese horseradish
mountain chain; mountains
mountain range; mountain belt
south side of a mountain; Sanyo district
descending a mountain; descent
deep in the mountains; mountain recesses
(many) mountains
mountain road; mountain trail
among the mountains
head temple
mountains and rivers
山 is a pictograph of a mountain with three peaks. The modern form retains the clear three-peak silhouette.
The three vertical strokes with a horizontal base look like a mountain with three peaks rising from the ground.
For サン, picture the sun (サン) rising behind a mountain: sun -> サン, and the mountain stands tall in the morning light.