林(はやし) はやし noun woods, grove 1. woods, grove, small forest A group of trees smaller than a forest, often in or near populated areas. 林(はやし)の中(なか)を散歩(さんぽ)した。 I took a walk through the woods. 家(いえ)の近(ちか)くに林(はやし)があります。 There's a grove near my house. 竹林(ちくりん)が美(うつく)しい。 The bamboo grove is beautiful. 竹林 uses different reading (ちくりん) 林(はやし)の奥(おく)に小(ちい)さな池(いけ)があります。 There's a small pond deep in the woods. 子供(こども)たちが林(はやし)で遊(あそ)んでいる。 The children are playing in the woods. 林(はやし) refers to a smaller wooded area than 森(もり) (forest).林(はやし) vs 森(もり):林(はやし): woods, grove (smaller, often human-managed)森(もり): forest (larger, more natural/wild)COMMON COMPOUNDS:竹林(ちくりん/たけばやし): bamboo grove雑木林(ぞうきばやし): thicket, copse松林(まつばやし): pine grove林業(りんぎょう): forestryNote: 林(はやし) is also a common Japanese surname. Related Words Contrast: 森(もり) (forest (denser)) Related: 森林(しんりん) (forest (formal)) core Added 2026.1.9 21:42 · Revised 2026.4.2 14:09 01500/01702_hayashi