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:

連なる山々は美しい景色を作り出す。

Rennaru yamayama wa utsukushii keshiki o tsukuridasu

The rows of mountains create a beautiful landscape.

The changing mountains create beautiful landscapes.

• 連なる - means "in a row" or "in sequence".
• 山々 - means "mountains" (the repeated kanji 山 indicates plurality).
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "the mountains in sequence".
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• 景色 - Noun that means "landscape" or "view".
• を - direct object particle, indicates that "beautiful landscape" is the object of the action.
• 作り出す - verb meaning "create" or "produce".

山林は自然の宝庫です。

Yamabayashi wa shizen no hōko desu

The forests are natural treasures.

The forest is a treasure of nature.

• 山林 (sanrin) - Mountain forest
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自然 (shizen) - nature
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 宝庫 (houko) - tesouro, depósito
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

山腹には美しい紅葉が見られる。

Yamahara ni wa utsukushii momiji ga mirareru

On the hillside of the mountain

Beautiful autumn leaves can be seen on the hillside.

• 山腹 - means "mountain slope".
• に - particle that indicates location.
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 美しい - adjective that means "beautiful".
• 紅葉 - noun that means "red foliage" or "autumn leaves".
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 見られる - verb that means "can be seen".

雲が山を覆う。

Kumo ga yama wo oou

Clouds cover the mountains.

Clouds cover the mountains.

• 雲 (kumo) - a cloud
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 山 (yama) - Mountain
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 覆う (oou) - cover, wrap

鉱山は豊かな地下資源を持っています。

Kōzan wa yutaka na chikashigen'yō o motte imasu

Mines have abundant underground resumes.

The mine has rich underground resources.

• 鉱山 - everyone
• は - Topic particle
• 豊かな - rich
• 地下 - subterranean
• 資源 - resources
• を - direct object particle
• 持っています - have

高い山が見えます。

Takai yama ga miemasu

I can see a high mountain.

You can see a high mountain.

• 高い - adjective that means high or tall in relation to a standard
• 山 - noun that means mountain
• が - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 見えます - verb that means to see or to be seen, conjugated in the present tense and polite

聳える山々は美しいです。

Sobieru yamayama wa utsukushii desu

The high mountains are beautiful.

The rising mountains are beautiful.

• 聳える (sobaeru) - means "to rise" or "to rise".
• 山々 (yamayama) - means "mountains".
• は (wa) - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 美しい (utsukushii) - means "pretty" or "beautiful".
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the present tense and formality.

私の本名は山田太郎です。

Watashi no honmyou wa Yamada Taro desu

My real name is Yamada Taro.

My real name is Taro Yamada.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 本名 (honmyou) - It means "real name" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 山田太郎 (Yamada Taro) - proper name in Japanese, composed of surname (Yamada) and given name (Taro)
• です (desu) - the verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate identity or characteristics

私は山を越すつもりです。

Watashi wa yama wo kosu tsumori desu

I intend to cross the mountain.

I intend to cross the mountain.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 山 (yama) - noun that means "mountain"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 越す (kosu) - verb that means "to cross" or "to traverse"
• つもり (tsumori) - expression that indicates the intention or plan to do something
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

登山道は険しいです。

Tōzandō wa kewashīdesu

The mountain trail is steep.

The mountain trail is steep.

• 登山道 (tōzandō) - mountain trail
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 険しい (kewashii) - steep, difficult
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present