Dictionary — Entry No. 0948
산
san · noun
산
san
[SAHN]
nounbeginner
Meaning
A large natural elevation of earth’s surface. Mountains hold spiritual significance in Korean culture, appearing in traditional poetry and modern entertainment as symbols of endurance and majesty.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
K-Dramas like ‘Crash Landing on You’ open with dramatic mountain border scenes. IVE members frequently share hiking content on variety shows. K-Pop MVs use mountain peaks for ethereal, powerful visuals representing dreams or obstacles to overcome.
Example Sentences
산 위에서 보니까 정말 멋있어요.
San wie-seo bonikka jeongmal meosisseyo.
Looking from the top of the mountain, it’s really beautiful — expresses wonder at mountain views
우리 산에 올라갈까요?
Uri sane ollakalgalkayo?
Should we climb our mountain? — affectionate reference to a special place
저 산은 아주 높아요.
Jeo saneun aju nopayo.
That mountain is very tall — descriptive observation common in K-Drama dialogue
⚠️ Don’t use san when…
San appears in place names (Busan, Jirisan, Seoraksan) — context tells if it’s standalone noun. Busan doesn’t mean ‘a mountain that is Busan.’ Formal speech requires ‘san-eul’ or ‘san-i,’ not just ‘san.’
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Descendants of the Sun — spectacular mountain scenery and dangerous mountain rescue missions drive the plot’s tension and romance
- K-Pop: Stray Kids – ‘God’s Menu’ MV features mountain cinematography representing spiritual journeys and powerful perspectives
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.