山川 shānchuān mountains and rivers
mountains and rivers; landscape
How to remember 山川: 山 mountain + 川 river = mountains and rivers.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Mountains and rivers,' i.e. the natural landscape of a land - 祖国的大好山川 (zǔguó de dàhǎo shānchuān) the magnificent landscape of the homeland.
- A literary/elevated collective noun evoking scenery and often patriotic feeling; you don't count individual 山川.
- Contrast the everyday 风景 (fēngjǐng, scenery/views); 山川 is grander and more written, common in poetry and formal prose.