1.
mountains, many mountains
Multiple mountains; a range of mountains.
美しい山々。
Beautiful mountains.
遠くに山々が見えます。
You can see mountains in the distance.
山々に囲まれた村。
A village surrounded by mountains.
秋になると、山々が赤や黄色に色づく。
In autumn, the mountains turn red and yellow.
窓から雪をかぶった山々が見えて、とてもきれいでした。
Snow-capped mountains were visible from the window, and it was very beautiful.
2.
greatly, very much (wanting to)
Used to express strong desire, often followed by 'but...' to indicate constraint.
手伝いたいのは山々だ。
I'd very much like to help.
行きたいのは山々ですが、時間がありません。
I'd love to go, but I don't have time.
買いたいのは山々だが、お金がない。
I'd love to buy it, but I don't have the money.
引き受けたいのは山々ですが、今は忙しいです。
I'd very much like to take it on, but I'm busy right now.
もっと休みたいのは山々ですが、来週までに終わらせなければなりません。
I'd love to rest more, but I have to finish by next week.
山々 has two distinct meanings formed by reduplication of 山.
MEANING 1 - MOUNTAINS:
Literal plural/collective meaning "mountains" or "many mountains."
- 山々が見える: mountains are visible
- 山々に囲まれた: surrounded by mountains
MEANING 2 - VERY MUCH:
Adverbial expression meaning "very much wanting to" but implies a constraint.
- 〜のは山々だが: I'd love to ~, but...
- 行きたいのは山々ですが: I'd very much like to go, but...
USAGE NOTE:
The adverbial sense always implies that despite strong desire, something prevents the action. It's often used politely to decline or explain why something can't be done.
PATTERN:
〜たいのは山々だが/ですが + reason for not doing