若葉(わかば)

A compound of 若(わか)い (young) and 葉(は) (leaf). A seasonal word strongly associated with late spring and early summer.

Cultural note

若葉(わかば) is a 季語(きご) (seasonal word) for early summer in haiku. The sight of fresh green leaves is celebrated in Japanese culture as a symbol of vitality and renewal. 若葉(わかば)マーク is also used informally to mean a beginner's mark — the green and yellow V-shaped sticker that new drivers must display.

Common collocations

• 若葉(わかば)が茂(しげ)る — young leaves grow thick
• 若葉(わかば)の季節(きせつ) — the season of fresh green leaves
• 若葉(わかば)マーク — beginner's mark (for new drivers)

Related words

• 新緑(しんりょく) — fresh greenery; the broader concept of spring/early summer foliage
• 青葉(あおば) — green leaves; mature green foliage, slightly later in season
• 紅葉(こうよう) — autumn leaves; the seasonal counterpart