noun, counter
General term for a mountain or large hill. Also used as a counter for mountains.
富士山は日本で一番高い山です。
Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.
この地域には三つの
There are three mountains in this area.
noun, counter
Refers to a mine (e.g., coal mine, gold mine). Often used in compounds like 炭鉱 (coal mine), but 山 alone can mean a mine in context.
祖父は若い頃、山で働いていた。
My grandfather worked in a mine when he was young.
noun, counter
mountain forest; forest on a mountain
Refers to the forested area of a mountain, often used in contexts like forestry or hunting.
山の木を切って家を建てた。
They cut trees from the mountain forest to build a house.
noun, counter
heap; pile; stack; mountain (of something)
Metaphorical use for a large pile or heap of things, like a mountain of work or a stack of books.
机の上に書類の山ができている。
There is a pile of documents on the desk.
やることが山ほどある。
I have a mountain of things to do.
noun
protruding part; crown (of a hat); thread (of a screw); tread (of a tire)
Refers to the raised or prominent part of an object. Specific meanings depend on context: crown of a hat, thread of a screw, tread of a tire, etc.
帽子の山が少しつぶれている。
The crown of the hat is a little crushed.
このネジは山が細かい。
This screw has a fine thread.
noun
Figurative use for the peak or climax of an event, story, or situation.
事件の山はまだこれからだ。
The climax of the incident is yet to come.
彼の人生の山はオリンピック出場だった。
The peak of his life was participating in the Olympics.
noun
Used in phrases like 山をかける (to make a guess/speculation) or 山が当たる (guess is correct). Often implies a risky or intuitive guess.
試験の山をかけたが、外れてしまった。
I tried to guess what would be on the exam, but I was wrong.
彼の山が当たって、大もうけした。
His speculation hit the mark and he made a fortune.
noun
criminal case; crime
Police and crime reporter slang. Usually written in katakana as ヤマ. Refers to a criminal case or incident under investigation.
刑事たちは新しいヤマを追っている。
The detectives are working on a new case.
noun
mountain climbing; mountaineering
Abbreviation of 山登り or 登山. Used in contexts like 山に行く (go mountain climbing).
週末はよく山に行く。
I often go mountain climbing on weekends.
noun
Refers to a festival float, especially one mounted with a decorative halberd, as seen in Gion Matsuri. Related to 山鉾.
See also: 山鉾
祇園祭では多くの山が町を巡行する。
During the Gion Festival, many floats parade through the town.
noun
deck; draw pile; stock (card games)
In card games, the pile from which players draw cards. Contrasts with 札 (hand or played cards).
See also: 山札
山からカードを一枚引いてください。
Please draw one card from the deck.
noun
wall; wall tile (mahjong)
In mahjong, the wall of tiles from which players draw. Also refers to the tiles themselves.
麻雀で山を崩さないように注意する。
Be careful not to break the wall in mahjong.
noun, used as a prefix
Prefix used before plant or animal names to indicate a wild variety, e.g., 山桜 (wild cherry), 山犬 (wild dog).
山桜はソメイヨシノより早く咲く。
Wild cherry blossoms bloom earlier than Somei Yoshino.