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:

たった一人で山に登った。

Tatta hitori de yama ni nobotta

I climbed the mountain alone.

I climbed the mountain alone.

• たった - adverb that means "just" or "only"
• 一人 - noun that means "a person" or "alone"
• で - particle that indicates the medium or instrument used to perform an action
• 山 - noun that means "mountain"
• に - particle that indicates the target or destination of an action
• 登った - verb in the past that means "to climb" or "to scale"

七つの山を登りました。

Nanatsu no yama wo noborimashita

I climbed seven mountains.

I climbed the seven mountains.

• 七つの - Seven
• 山 - mountains
• を - object particle
• 登りました - escalated

内陸地には美しい山々があります。

Nairikuji ni wa utsukushii yamayama ga arimasu

There are beautiful mountains in the interior areas.

• 内陸地 - It means "inland area" or "hinterland".
• には - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the existence of something in a specific area.
• 美しい - means "pretty" or "beautiful".
• 山々 - It means "mountains" or "mountain range".
• が - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• あります - It is a verb that means "to exist" or "to be present."

塵も積もれば山となる。

Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru

Even Dust

If the dust is stacked, it will be a mountain.

• 塵 (chiri) - dust
• も (mo) - also
• 積もれば (tsumoreba) - to accumulate
• 山 (yama) - Mountain
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• なる (naru) - become

火山はとても危険です。

Kazan wa totemo kiken desu

The volcano is very dangerous.

• 火山 (kazan) - volcano
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 危険 (kiken) - dangerous
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

私の姓は山田です。

Watashi no sei wa Yamada desu

My last name is Yamada.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - possession particle, indicating that the next term is an object of possession
• 姓 - noun that means "surname"
• は - topic particle, indicating that the next term is the subject of the sentence
• 山田 - common Japanese surname
• です - verb to be in the polite form

私は登山が大好きです。

Watashi wa tozan ga daisuki desu

I love to make trails.

I love climbing.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 登山 (tozan) - noun that means "mountain climbing"
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大好き (daisuki) - adjective that means "to like a lot"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私の姓名は山田です。

Watashi no seimei wa Yamada desu

My full name is Yamada.

My first name is Yamada.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 姓名 - noun meaning "full name" in Japanese
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 山田 - common Japanese surname
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or description

私の名前は山田です。

Watashi no namae wa Yamada desu

My name is Yamada.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 名前 - noun meaning "name"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 山田 - Japanese surname
• です - verb "to be" in present tense

私の名字は山田です。

Watashi no myouji wa Yamada desu

My last name is Yamada.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 名字 - noun that means "surname"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "is"
• 山田 - Japanese surname
• です - verb that indicates to be or to exist, equivalent to "is"