山

• Pinyin: shān
• Hanzi breakdown: 山 = pictograph of three mountain peaks, the centre one being the tallest

Meaning

Mountain; hill. The general word for mountains and hills.

A fundamental character appearing in many place names and geographical terms. Used in compounds like 山上 (on the mountain), 山下 (at the foot of the mountain), and 山水 (landscape, literally mountains and water). Also a common component in Chinese surnames and place names.

Examples

1. 那座山很高。 That mountain is very tall.
2. 我们去爬山吧。 Let's go hiking.
3. 山上有很多树。 There are many trees on the mountain.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, geography

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 周末我们去爬山。(Let's go hiking this weekend.)
• 这座山叫什么名字？(What is this mountain called?)

Don't Say

• 一个山。(Wrong measure word — use 座 for mountains: 一座山)

Origin & History

One of the oldest pictographs — three peaks representing mountains, the middle one taller than the sides.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal