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JLPT N43画 · 3 strokesradical 山grade 1freq #180

mountain, hill

On'yomi (音読み)

  • サン
  • セン

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • やま

Mnemonic

Imagine climbing three steep peaks that tower like giant pyramids, each representing a mountain, stretching up to the clouds.

About this kanji

The kanji 「山」 (yama) means "mountain" or "hill," and it can be used both as a noun and in compound words. For example, 「山登り」 (yamanobori) means "mountain climbing," highlighting an activity associated with mountains. Another common compound is 「火山」 (kazan), which means "volcano," a type of mountain that erupts. You might also come across 「山岳」 (sangaku), which refers to mountainous areas. This kanji is frequently used in names, such as the surname 「山田」 (Yamada), which literally means "rice field at the mountain." Note that while the kanji represents something large and natural, it emphasizes nature's beauty in the Japanese culture.

Example sentences

  • 山を登るのが好き。

    I like climbing mountains.

Meanings across languages

English
mountain, hill
Tiếng Việt
núi, đồi
日本語
山(やま)
한국어
산, 언덕
中文
山, 山丘
id
gunung, bukit
th
ภูเขา, เนิน
es
montaña, colina
fr
montagne, colline
de
Berg, Hügel
pt
montanha, colina

Common compounds

  • 山登りやまのぼりmountain climbing
  • 火山かざんvolcano
  • 山岳さんがくmountains, mountain ranges
  • 山田やまだYamada (common Japanese surname)

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