1.
mountains and fields; hills and plains; the countryside
natural, undeveloped land encompassing mountains and open fields, often referring to the wild outdoors
山野を歩き回る。
Walk through the mountains and fields.
山野に自生する植物を調べた。
I studied plants that grow wild in the mountains and fields.
春になると山野は色とりどりの花で覆われる。
In spring, the hills and fields are covered with colorful flowers.
A literary compound that evokes the natural landscape as a whole. Often used in writing about nature, ecology, outdoor activities, and traditional life.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 山野を駆け回る: to run through the hills and fields
- 山野に自生する: to grow wild in mountains and fields
- 山野の草花: wildflowers of the mountains and fields
- 山野草: wild plants (a category in gardening)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 野山: fields and mountains — very similar meaning but reverses the order; slightly more colloquial
- 自然: nature — much broader, includes oceans, sky, etc.
- 田舎: countryside — focuses on rural inhabited areas, not wild nature
REGISTER:
Somewhat literary. Used in nature writing, botanical descriptions, and poetic contexts. 野山 is more common in everyday speech.