森
Meanings
1
General term for a forest or wooded area, larger than a grove but smaller than a vast wilderness.
I like taking walks in the forest.
There are many old trees in this forest.
2
shrine grove; sacred grove
Only when written 杜
Refers to a wooded area surrounding a Shinto shrine, often considered sacred. The kanji 杜 is especially associated with this meaning.
See also: 鎮守の森
The shrine grove is cherished by the local people.
Usage patterns
- 森を歩くto walk through the forest
Every morning I walk through the forest with my dog.
- 森が広がるthe forest spreads out/extends
A vast forest stretches out beyond the mountains.
- 森の中に〈物〉があるthere is something deep in the forest
There is an old shrine deep in the forest.
- 森で〈動詞〉to do something in the forest
The children played hide-and-seek in the forest.
Expressions
- 森のバターavocado; forest butter
- 木を見て森を見ずcan't see the forest for the trees; lose sight of the big picture by focusing on details
- 木を隠すなら森の中hide a tree in the forest
- 木の葉を隠すなら森の中hide a leaf in a forest