山林

さんりん

mountain forest

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"山林" (さんりん) refers specifically to mountain forests or wooded mountainous areas. It is often used in contexts related to nature, forestry, land ownership, and environmental conservation.

Common Contexts

This word appears frequently in discussions about land management, forest fires, and outdoor activities like hiking or nature walks. It carries a somewhat formal tone and is common in news reports or official documents.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 山林所有 (さんりんしょゆう): ownership of mountain forests, used in legal or property contexts.
  • 山林火災 (さんりんかさい): mountain forest fire, a common phrase in disaster-related news.
  • 山林を散策する (さんりんをさんさくする): to take a walk in the mountain forest, used in leisure or nature contexts.

Usage Tips

When using "山林," it implies a natural, often undeveloped area covered with trees in mountainous regions. It is more specific than just "森" (forest) because it emphasizes the mountainous terrain. Avoid confusing it with "森林" (しんりん), which is a more general term for forest. "山林" often appears in formal or written Japanese rather than casual conversation.

Example Sentences

かれはさんりんをしょゆうしているので、しぜんほごにちからをいれている。

He owns mountain forests and is committed to nature conservation.

さんりんかさいがはっせいすると、しょうかかつどうがひじょうにこんなんになる。

When a mountain forest fire breaks out, firefighting activities become very difficult.

さんりんをさんさくすると、やせいどうぶつやめずらしいしょくぶつにであえることがある。

When you take a walk in the mountain forest, you may encounter wild animals and rare plants.