山やま元もと

noun

foot of a mountain; base of a mountain

Refers to the lower part of a mountain or the area at its base. The reading やまもと is standard; 山下 and 山本 are rare variants for this meaning.

See also: 山下 (さんか)

• 山やま元もとには小ちいさな集しゅう落らくがある。

  There is a small settlement at the foot of the mountain.

noun

mine; colliery

Only when written 山元

Typically written 山元. Refers to a mining site, especially a coal mine.

• その山やま元もとは閉へい山ざんした。

  That mine has been closed.

noun

owner of a mountain; operator of a mine

Only when written 山元

Typically written 山元. Can refer to the proprietor of a mountain or the operator of a mining operation.

• 山やま元もとが採さい掘くつ権けんを持もっている。

  The mine operator holds the mining rights.