1.
hill; knoll; small mound
A small hill or rise in the ground. Can refer to a natural elevation or a man-made mound.
小山の上に登った。
I climbed to the top of the hill.
公園の小山で子供たちが遊んでいる。
Children are playing on the small hill in the park.
落ち葉が集まって小山のようになっていた。
Fallen leaves had piled up into something like a small mound.
USAGE:
Can describe either a natural small hill or a pile of something that resembles a hill. Also a very common surname (小山 or 小山).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 小山のような (like a small hill — for piles of things)
- 小山に登る (to climb a hill)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 丘: hill — generally larger than 小山
- 塚: mound, tumulus — often a burial or ceremonial mound