山やま

noun, counter

mine

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.

• 祖そ父ふは若わかい頃ころ、山やまで働はたらいていた。

  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.

• 山やまの木きを切きって家うちを建たてた。

  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.

• 机つくえの上うえに書しょ類るいの山やまができている。

  There is a pile of documents on the desk.

• やることが山やまほどある。

  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.

• 帽ぼう子しの山やまが少すこしつぶれている。

  The crown of the hat is a little crushed.

• このネジは山やまが細こまかい。

  This screw has a fine thread.

noun

climax; peak; critical point

Figurative use for the peak or climax of an event, story, or situation.

• 事じ件けんの山やまはまだこれからだ。

  The climax of the incident is yet to come.

• 彼かれの人じん生せいの山やまはオリンピック出しゅつ場じょうだった。

  The peak of his life was participating in the Olympics.

noun

guess; speculation; gamble

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.

• 試し験けんの山やまをかけたが、外はずれてしまった。

  I tried to guess what would be on the exam, but I was wrong.

• 彼かれの山やまが当あたって、大おおもうけした。

  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.

• 刑けい事じたちは新あたらしいヤマを追おっている。

  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).

• 週しゅう末まつはよく山やまに行いく。

  I often go mountain climbing on weekends.

noun

festival float (with halberd)

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

• 祇ぎ園おん祭まつりでは多おおくの山やまが町まちを巡じゅん行こうする。

  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

• 山やまからカードを一いち枚まい引ひいてください。

  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.

• 麻雀まーじゃんで山やまを崩くずさないように注ちゅう意いする。

  Be careful not to break the wall in mahjong.

noun, used as a prefix

wild (prefix)

Prefix used before plant or animal names to indicate a wild variety, e.g., 山桜 (wild cherry), 山犬 (wild dog).

• 山やま桜ざくらはソメイヨシノより早はやく咲さく。

  Wild cherry blossoms bloom earlier than Somei Yoshino.