(みね)

みね
noun
peak; summit; ridge
naturegeography
1. peak; summit; mountaintop
The top of a mountain or a prominent pointed section of a mountain range.
You can see the snow-capped peaks.
The peaks lit up by the morning sun were beautiful.
いくつ(みね)()えて、ようやく目的地(もくてきち)たどり()いた。
After crossing many peaks, we finally reached our destination.
2. ridge; back of a blade
The blunt back edge of a sword or knife, opposite the cutting edge.
To strike with the back of the sword.
(みね)()ちなら(いのち)()らぬ
A strike with the back of the blade won't take a life.
Crush the garlic with the back of the knife.

A literary and evocative word for mountain peaks, common in nature descriptions and place names. Also has a specialized meaning in swordsmanship.

Common collocations

  • (みね)()ち: striking with the back of a sword (a non-lethal blow)
  • (つら)なる(みね): a chain of peaks; a mountain range
  • (みね)()える: to cross a peak
  • 最高峰(さいこうほう): the highest peak; the pinnacle (also figurative)

Similar words

Writing

Also written as (みね) in literary contexts. The character (みね) appears in many Japanese surnames and place names.