Japanese word

登山

Pronunciation

Romajitozan

Meaning

  • nounmountain climbing

Example

春に登山を始めます。haru ni to zan o haji me ma su

I start mountain climbing in spring.

Illustration for 登山 (mountain climbing)

More examples

週末は友人と登山を楽しみます。shū matsu wa yū jin to to zan o tano shi mi ma su

I enjoy mountain climbing with a friend on weekends.

Core concept

Describes walking upward through mountain terrain as a deliberate outdoor activity.

Common phrases

  • 登山をするto zan o su ru

    go mountain climbing

  • 登山に行くto zan ni i ku

    go mountain climbing

  • 登山を楽しむto zan o tano shi mu

    enjoy mountain climbing

Similar words

山登りyamanobori: A general term for traveling upward on a mountain as a recreational outdoor activity.
山歩きyamaaruki: Moving through mountain areas for leisure, whether or not the route leads to a summit.
トレッキングtorekkingu: A long walk through natural landscapes, often on mountain paths and without technical climbing.

Definition in Japanese

山道などを歩いて山の頂上を目指す活動。san dō na do o aru i te yama no chō jō o me za su katsu dō

Word origin

The compound 登山 (tozan) combines 登 (tō, "climb") and 山 (san, "mountain"), giving the word its meaning of climbing a mountain.

Usage tips

  • In English, mountain climbing can include both general mountain ascents and more technical climbing, while 登山 (tozan) commonly refers to mountain hiking more broadly.

Related words

  • 登山者tozanshamountain climbernoun
  • 登山家tozankamountaineernoun

Word lists with this word