forest

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 森 has 12 strokes and denotes a forest.
• Basic usage: 森（もり） and 森林（しんりん） both denote forests or woods.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Standalone and compound readings
  • The standalone word 森 is read もり; in 森林, 森 is read しん.
• Locations within a forest
  • 森の奥 means deep in the forest.
  • 広い森林の中を細い道が続いています describes a narrow path continuing through a large forest.