Translation and Meaning of: 山 - yama

The Japanese word 「山」 (yama) translates to "mountain" in several languages. This term is widely used in Japan due to its mountainous terrain, with approximately 73% of the country covered by mountains. The complexity of Japanese geography has a significant influence on both culture and language. In Japanese writing, the kanji 「山」 consists of three strokes that resemble the profile of a mountain, which facilitates visual association for those learning the language.

Etymologically, the kanji 「山」 (yama) has its origins in ancient Chinese writing. In the Chinese language, the meaning also refers to a mountain, and the character has the same pictographic base, highlighting the common nature of mountain formations in the culture of both countries. The radical used for the kanji 「山」 is often associated with nature, appearing in characters that encompass natural elements.

In the cultural context, mountains have always held a special meaning in Japan. They are traditionally seen as abodes of gods and spirits in Shinto religion, as is the case with Mount Fuji, considered sacred. This respect and reverence for mountains is reflected in the language through the frequent use of 「山」 in place names, such as famous mountains and even people’s names, where the word denotes strength and stability.

In addition to its isolated use, 「山」 (yama) is part of many other compound words in the Japanese language. Examples include 「山脈」 (sanmyaku), which means "mountain range," and 「登山」 (tozan), which means "mountaineering." This demonstrates how geography influences not only everyday life but also the language and cultural expressions of Japan. This flexibility of the word's use highlights the importance of mountains in Japanese daily life.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 山脈 (Sanmyaku) - Mountain chain
• 山岳 (Sangaku) - mountain or high-altitude mountainous area
• 山地 (Shanchi) - mountainous region
• 山並み (Yamanami) - mountain range
• 岳 (Take) - peak or mountain
• 高峰 (Kōhō) - high mountain or peak
• 絶壁 (Zeppeki) - cliff or mountain wall
• 山峰 (Sanpō) - mountain peak
• 山頂 (Sanchō) - mountain peak
• 山腹 (Sanpuku) - slope or hillside of the mountain
• 山野 (Yamano) - mountainous area or hilly rural area
• 山林 (Sanrin) - mountainous forest
• 山陰 (Yamakai) - mountain shadow
• 山麓 (Sanroku) - foço or mountain base
• 山嶺 (Sanrei) - mountain range or mountain ridge
• 山河 (Sangawa) - mountains and rivers
• 山峡 (Sankyō) - mountain valley or gorge
• 山系 (Sankei) - mountain range
• 山崩れ (Yamakuzure) - landslide in mountainous area
• 山火事 (Yamakaji) - wildfire in the mountains
• 山荘 (Sansō) - summer house in the mountains
• 山道 (Yamavō) - path or trail on the mountain
• 山猫 (Yamaneko) - wildcat
• 山吹 (Yamabuki) - mountain flower
• 山葵 (Wasabi) - wasabi root, a plant typical of mountainous areas
• 山葡萄 (Yamabudō) - wild grape
• 山葵漬け (Wasabi-zuke) - wasabi paste
• 山葵醤油 (Wasabi shōyu) - soy sauce with wasabi
• 山葵味噌 (Wasabi miso) - miso with wasabi
• 山葵酢 (Wasabi zu) - wasabi vinegar
• 山葵マヨネーズ (Wasabi mayonēzu) - wasabi mayonnaise

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山

Romaji: yama
Kana: やま
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: Mountain

Meaning in English: mountain

Definition: A high part of the Earth's surface that is tall, steep, and has a pointed top.

Example Sentences - (山) yama

See below some example sentences:

日本には美しい山脈がたくさんあります。

Nihon ni wa utsukushii sanmyaku ga takusan arimasu

There are many beautiful mountain ranges in Japan.

There are many beautiful mountains in Japan.

• 日本 - Japan
• に - particle indicating destination or location
• は - topic particle, which indicates the main subject of the sentence
• 美しい - beautiful
• 山脈 - Mountain chain
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - many
• あります - verb "existir" in the present affirmative

山は美しいです。

Yama wa utsukushii desu

The mountain is beautiful.

The mountain is beautiful.

• 山 (yama) - Mountain
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

山から下る。

Yama kara kudaru

Coming down from the mountain.

Go down the mountain.

• 山 - Mountain
• から - of
• 下る - come down

山岳は美しい自然の景色です。

Sangaku wa utsukushii shizen no keshiki desu

The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.

The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.

• 山岳 - mountains
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• 自然 - nature
• の - Possession particle
• 景色 - landscape
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

地形が険しい山道を登るのは大変だ。

Chikei ga kewashii yamamichi wo noboru no wa taihen da

Climbing a mountain trail with rugged terrain is difficult.

It is difficult to climb a steep mountain path.

• 地形 (chikei) - ground
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 険しい (kewashii) - steep, difficult
• 山道 (yamamichi) - mountain trail
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 登る (noboru) - climb
• のは (no wa) - particle that indicates topic
• 大変 (taihen) - Difficult, laborious
• だ (da) - Verb "to be"

仙人は山に住んでいます。

Sennin wa yama ni sunde imasu

Hermits live in the mountains.

Sennin lives in the mountains.

• 仙人 - a word in Japanese that means "hermit" or "immortal sage."
• は - a grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 山 - a word in Japanese that means "mountain".
• に - a grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the location of the action.
• 住んでいます - a Japanese expression that means "to live" or "to reside".

この山の展望は素晴らしいですね。

Kono yama no tenbou wa subarashii desu ne

The view of this hill is wonderful.

The view of this mountain is wonderful.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 山 - means "mountain"
• の - particle of possession, in this case, "of the mountain"
• 展望 - means "view, panorama"
• は - topic particle, in this case "about"
• 素晴らしい - means "wonderful, splendid"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - confirmation particle, in this case, "isn't it?"

この山頂からの見晴らしは素晴らしいです。

Kono sanchou kara no miharashi wa subarashii desu

The view from this mountain top is wonderful.

The view from this dome is wonderful.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 山頂 - "sancho", top of the mountain
• から - kara, from
• の - particle of possession, in this case, "of"
• 見晴らし - "miharashi", panoramic view
• は - topic particle, in this case "about"
• 素晴らしい - "subarashii", wonderful
• です - polite way of "being"

この山は傾斜が急で登りにくいです。

Kono yama wa keisha ga kyuu de nobori nikui desu

This mountain has a steep inclination and is difficult to rise.

This mountain is steep and difficult to climb.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 山 - noun that means "mountain"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the mountain"
• 傾斜 - noun that means "inclination"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the inclination"
• 急 - an adjective that means "steep" or "fast"
• で - particle that indicates the means or manner, in this case, "in a steep way"
• 登り - noun that means "ascent"
• にくい - suffix that indicates difficulty, in this case, "difficult to climb"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

この山の道は起伏が激しいですね。

Kono yama no michi wa kifuku ga hageshii desu ne

This mountain road is intensely wavy.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 山 - noun that means "mountain"
• の - particle indicating possession, in this case, "of the mountain"
• 道 - noun that means "path"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the path of the mountain"
• 起伏 - noun that means "ups and downs"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the ups and downs"
• 激しい - Adjective that means "intense" or "strong"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence
• ね - particle that indicates the expectation of confirmation or agreement from the listener, in this case, "isn't it?"