Translation guide
A small group of trees, often cultivated or naturally clustered. In Japanese, the most common word is 林 (hayashi), which refers to a small forest or grove. For a shrine grove, use 杜 (mori). Other terms exist for specific types of groves.
The most common way to refer to a grove or small wooded area.
The standard word for a grove or small forest. It implies a cluster of trees smaller than a forest (森).
家の裏に小さな林があります。
There is a small grove behind the house.
林の中でピクニックをしました。
We had a picnic in the grove.
A cluster of trees, often standing together in a picturesque way. More literary than 林.
遠くに松の木立が見える。
A grove of pine trees is visible in the distance.
A grove surrounding a Shinto shrine, considered sacred.
Specifically refers to a grove around a shrine. It carries a sacred nuance. Note: 森 (mori) means forest in general, but 杜 is used for shrine groves.
神社の杜は神聖な場所です。
The shrine grove is a sacred place.
Literally 'guardian forest', a grove surrounding a shrine dedicated to a local tutelary deity.
この地域には古い鎮守の森が残っています。
An old shrine grove remains in this area.
A grove of fruit-bearing trees, often cultivated.
Orchard; a grove of fruit trees. This is the most natural term for a cultivated fruit grove.
私たちはリンゴの果樹園に行きました。
We went to an apple grove (orchard).
Suffix meaning 'field' or 'plantation'. Used for certain fruit groves, e.g., みかん畑 (mikanbatake) for a mandarin orange grove.
夏にはみかん畑で収穫を手伝います。
In summer, I help harvest in the mandarin orange grove.
A grove consisting of bamboo.
Bamboo grove. Also read as たけばやし (takebayashi).
京都の竹林は有名です。
The bamboo grove in Kyoto is famous.
A poetic or literary term for a grove.
Usually means 'forest', but in poetic contexts can refer to a grove. Use with caution; 林 is more precise for grove.
小鳥が森の木々の間でさえずっている。
Small birds are chirping among the trees of the grove.
林 (hayashi) is a small forest or grove, smaller than 森 (mori), which is a larger forest. 杜 (mori) is specifically a sacred shrine grove. Use 林 for general groves, 杜 for shrine groves, and 森 for forests.
裏山の林で遊んだ。
We played in the grove on the hill behind the house.
神社の杜は静かだ。
The shrine grove is quiet.
森の中で迷子になった。
I got lost in the forest.