How to Say "Woods" in Japanese

森

mori

The English word 'woods' is translated into Japanese as 森 (mori).

森 (mori) is the standard term used for both 'woods' and 'forest' in Japanese, depending on the context of scale.

What does it mean word for word?

The kanji 森 (mori) is composed of three repetitions of the character 木 (ki), meaning 'tree', visually representing a large number of trees.

mori

There is a specific Japanese concept called 森林浴 meaning 'forest bathing'. It is not about swimming but the act of spending time in a 森 to improve health through the inhalation of wood essential oils.
In Japanese folklore, the 森 is often seen as a spiritual boundary. Certain forests are designated as 鎮守の森 meaning 'sacred groves' that protect a local shrine and are treated as the dwelling place of deities.
Japanese distinguishes between 森 and 林. While both mean 'woods', 森 implies a dense, naturally occurring forest, whereas 林 often refers to a smaller or man-made grove of trees.

彼は森で迷った。
He lost his way in the woods.
The sentence is useful for showing how to use 森 when someone is lost.
Tatoeba #103742 by bunbuku, translation #269482 by CK
彼は森を通り抜けた。
He passed through the woods.
The sentence is useful for showing the action of passing through 森.
Tatoeba #103735 by bunbuku, translation #299958 by CK
私は森で道に迷った。
I lost my way in the woods.
The sentence is useful for demonstrating the phrase 'lost my way' with 森.
Tatoeba #155702 by KK_kaku_, translation #258835 by CK
日本には美しい森がたくさんあります。
Japan has many beautiful woods/forests.
近くに小さな林があります。
There is a small woods/grove nearby.
散歩中に美しい森林を見つけました。
I found a beautiful woods/forest during my walk.
散策中に風のそよぐ美しい木立がありました。
During the stroll, there was a beautiful woods/grove where the wind gently rustled the leaves.
子どもの頃、よく野山で遊んだ思い出があります。
I have memories of playing in the woods/mountains often during my childhood.
43 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are planning a weekend hiking trip.

美咲 Misaki

この森はとても綺麗ですね。
Kono mori wa totemo kirei desu ne.
This woods is very beautiful, isn't it?
陽太 Yota

はい、空気がとても美味しいです。
Hai, kuuki ga totemo oishii desu.
Yes, the air tastes very fresh.
美咲 Misaki

陽太さんは、もっと奥まで行きたいですか？
Youta-san wa, motto oku made ikitai desu ka?
Youta, do you want to go deeper inside?
陽太 Yota

もう少しだけ歩きましょう。
Mou sukoshi dake arukimashou.
Let's walk just a little bit more.

Sources

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