紅葉(もみじ)

もみじ
noun
autumn leaves; Japanese maple
nature
See also: 紅葉(こうよう) (alternate reading; leaf color change)
1. autumn leaves; fall foliage
Leaves that have changed color in autumn, especially red and yellow.
紅葉(もみじ)を見(み)に京都(きょうと)に行(い)った。
I went to Kyoto to see the autumn leaves.
今年(ことし)の紅葉(もみじ)は美(うつく)しい。
This year's autumn foliage is beautiful.
京都(きょうと)の紅葉(もみじ)は美(うつく)しい。
The autumn leaves in Kyoto are beautiful.
2. Japanese maple
A tree known for its beautiful autumn colors (Acer palmatum).
庭(にわ)に紅葉(もみじ)を植(う)えた。
I planted a Japanese maple in the garden.
庭(にわ)に紅葉(もみじ)の木(き)を植(う)えた。
I planted a maple tree in the garden.
紅葉(もみじ)の葉(は)を押(お)し花(ばな)にした。
I made pressed flowers from maple leaves.

The kanji 紅葉(もみじ) has two readings with different nuances:

  • もみじ: autumn leaves (concrete), or the Japanese maple tree
  • こうよう: the phenomenon of leaves changing color in autumn

Cultural note

紅葉狩(もみじが)り (autumn leaf viewing) is a beloved seasonal activity, similar to 花見(はなみ) (cherry blossom viewing) in spring. Peak season is typically November.

Famous viewing spots

Common collocations

Usage

もみじ can also refer specifically to the Japanese maple tree (カエデ), which has distinctively shaped leaves often used as a design motif.

Related Words

Related: 紅葉狩(もみじが)り (autumn leaf viewing)
Related: 花見(はなみ) (cherry blossom viewing)
Related: 葉(は)っぱ (leaf)
Compare: 枯(か)れ葉(は) (dead leaves)
Compare: 桜肉(さくらにく) (horse meat)
Related: 牡丹肉(ぼたんにく) (wild boar meat)
general
Added 2026.1.16 14:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
05000/05387_momiji