Translation and Meaning of: 林 - hayashi

The Japanese word 「林」(hayashi) is a term that means "grove" or "small forest." The kanji writing uses two characters 「木」, which means "tree," combined, visually symbolizing the idea of several trees gathered together, forming a grove. This concept is an essential part of Japanese culture, where nature and natural elements are often celebrated and integrated into daily life.

In etymology, 「林」 is composed of the two radicals for tree, resulting in a formation that evokes a clear and direct image of what it represents: a grouping of trees. Thus, the repetition of the tree radical emphasizes the multiplicity and presence of these trees as a natural ensemble. The word, in addition to conveying a literal meaning, carries a vast cultural significance related to harmony and balance with nature, values that have been dear to Japanese society for centuries.

Uses and Varieties

• In the Japanese language, 「林」 also appears in family names, such as 山田林 (Yamada Hayashi), where the name suggests an origin or connection to rural areas or nature scenes.
• Moreover, this word is often used in cultural and literary expressions that evoke the serenity and tranquility of natural environments.
• Its variations in other contexts may include related words, such as 森 (mori), which refers to a larger "forest."

Historically, the concept of 「林」 is fundamental in various Japanese traditions and practices, such as "shinrin-yoku" or "forest bathing," which means spending time in nature as a form of therapy. This practice reflects the way the Japanese understand and value the forest not just as a natural resource, but as a vital part of human health and well-being.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 森 (Mori) - Forest, a dense area of trees.
• 木立 (Kodachi) - Groove of trees, small forest.
• 木林 (Mokurin) - Tree grove, area with more spaced trees.
• 林木 (Hayabiki) - Trees in a forest area, often referring to cultivated trees.
• 林野 (Rinya) - Forest land or wilderness area, usually uncultivated.
• 林地 (Rinchi) - Designated area for forests or woods, often used in contexts of forestry management.

林

Romaji: hayashi
Kana: はやし
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: Woods; Forest

Meaning in English: woods;forest

Definition: An ecosystem in which trees grow and form an ecosystem.

Example Sentences - (林) hayashi

See below some example sentences:

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

熱帯雨林は生命の宝庫です。

Nettai urin wa seimei no hōko desu

Tropical forests are life's treasures.

The rainforest is a treasure of life.

• 熱帯雨林 (nettai urin) - Tropical forest
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 生命 (seimei) - life
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 宝庫 (houko) - treasure
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

森林は自然の宝石です。

Mori no wa shizen no hōseki desu

Forests are nature's jewels.

The forest is a natural gem.

• 森林 (shinrin) - forest
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自然 (shizen) - nature
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 宝石 (hōseki) - jewel
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

森林が茂る。

Mori no hayashi ga shigeru

The forest is dense.

The forest grows.

• 森林 - forest
• が - subject particle
• 茂る - grow luxuriantly

大木は林の中で一番高いです。

Taiki wa hayashi no naka de ichiban takai desu

The large tree is the highest of the forest.

The large tree is the highest of the forest.

• 大木 - Means "big tree" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "大木" is the topic of the sentence.
• 林 - Means "forest" in Japanese.
• の - particle of possession in Japanese, indicating that "林" is the owner of something.
• 中 - means "in the middle" in Japanese.
• で - location particle in Japanese, indicating that "林" is the place where something happens.
• 一番 - means "the most" in Japanese, indicating that "大木" is the tallest tree.
• 高い - means "tall" in Japanese, indicating the characteristic of "大木".
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement.

林の中にはたくさんの鳥がいる。

Hayashi no naka ni wa takusan no tori ga iru

There are many birds in the forest.

• 林 - means "forest" in Japanese
• の - possession particle, indicating that the forest belongs to someone or something
• 中 - means "inside" or "in the middle" in Japanese
• に - particle of location, indicating where something is
• はたくさんの - "muitos" em japonês significa "多く" (おおく, ooku).
• 鳥 - means "birds" in Japanese
• が - subject particle, indicating that the birds are the subject of the sentence
• いる - verb that means "to exist" or "to be present" in Japanese