山
Meanings
General term for a mountain or large hill. Also used as a counter for mountains.
Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.
There are three mountains in this area.
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.
My grandfather worked in a mine when he was young.
mountain forest; forest on a mountain
Refers to the forested area of a mountain, often used in contexts like forestry or hunting.
They cut trees from the mountain forest to build a house.
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.
There is a pile of documents on the desk.
I have a mountain of things to do.
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.
The crown of the hat is a little crushed.
This screw has a fine thread.
Figurative use for the peak or climax of an event, story, or situation.
The climax of the incident is yet to come.
The peak of his life was participating in the Olympics.
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.
I tried to guess what would be on the exam, but I was wrong.
His speculation hit the mark and he made a fortune.
mountain climbing; mountaineering
Abbreviation of 山登り or 登山. Used in contexts like 山に行く (go mountain climbing).
I often go mountain climbing on weekends.
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
During the Gion Festival, many floats parade through the town.
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
Please draw one card from the deck.
wall; wall tile (mahjong)
In mahjong, the wall of tiles from which players draw. Also refers to the tiles themselves.
Be careful not to break the wall in mahjong.
Prefix used before plant or animal names to indicate a wild variety, e.g., 山桜 (wild cherry), 山犬 (wild dog).
Wild cherry blossoms bloom earlier than Somei Yoshino.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉の山に登るto climb a/the mountain (in a place)
During summer vacation I climbed Mt. Fuji.
- 〈物〉が山ほどあるto have a mountain (huge amount) of something
I have a mountain of homework.
- 山を張るto make a guess; to bet on a hunch
I studied by guessing what would be on the exam.
- 山を越えるto cross a mountain; (fig.) to get past the hardest part
We've finally gotten past the hardest part of this job.
- 山が当たるfor one's guess to be correct
My guess paid off and I got a good score on the test.
Expressions· 41
- 関の山the most one can do; the best one can expect
- 山の神mountain god; deity of the mountain · one's wife (humorous); the missus · roughskin sculpin (Trachidermus fasciatus)
- 山の幸food of the mountains; fruits of the land
- 剣の山mountain of swords; sword mountain in hell
- 宝の山gold mine; treasure trove; mountain of treasures