Japanese word

山間

Pronunciation

Romajisankan

Meaning

  • nounmountain region

Example

その村は山間にあります。so no mura wa san kan ni a ri ma su

That village is in the mountains.

Illustration for 山間 (mountain region)

More examples

山間を通る道路は、冬に通行止めになることがあります。san kan o tō ru dō ro wa fuyu ni tsū kō to me ni na ru ko to ga a ri ma su

Roads that pass through mountain regions may be closed in winter.

Core concept

Describes a region situated among mountains, with the surrounding landscape shaping its location and character.

Common phrases

  • 山間の集落san kan no shū raku

    a mountain settlement

  • 山間を抜けるsan kan o nu ke ru

    pass through a mountain region

  • 山間に入るsan kan ni hai ru

    enter a mountain region

Similar words

山中yamanaka: A place within the mountains, including areas far from populated lowlands.
山間部sankanbu: The mountainous section of a region that contains places such as villages and roads.
山間地sankanchi: Mountainous land lying among hills or mountains, away from wide flat areas.
山奥yamaoku: A remote part of the mountains that is far from populated areas.

Definition in Japanese

山と山との間にある地域。yama to yama to no aida ni a ru chi iki

Word origin

山間 (sankan) is a Japanese compound of 山 (san, "mountain") and 間 (kan, "space" or "interval"), referring to a region between or among mountains.

Usage tips

  • 山間 (sankan) often appears in descriptions of villages, roads, and settlements, while casual conversation more often uses 山の中 (yama no naka) for being in the mountains.

Opposites

  • 平地heichiflatlandnoun

Word lists with this word