This is one of the pages of the sci.lang.japan Frequently Asked Questions.

Top: Introduction and Contents >> 6. Word origins

6.1. What is the name of Mount Fuji?

Image: http://www.sljfaq.org/images/fuji.jpeg Mount Fuji in Hokusai's "Measuring a Pine Tree at Mishima Pass in Ko Province".

In Japanese, its name is Fujisan (富士山). It is virtually never called Fujiyama. The san in Fujisan is not related to the san suffix used to show respect: see 6.2. What are the origins of the san suffix for names? . The san in Fujisan means "mountain" and its Chinese character can also be pronounced yama in some cases, but not in this case. The san pronunciation is probably used in the name Fujisan because san, the Chinese derived reading (on'yomi, 4.2.6. Why do kanji have several different pronunciations? ) of the character, matches the Chinese readings used for the other two characters. Yama is a native Japanese pronunciation (kun'yomi) of the character.


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