How to Say "Autumn Leaves" in Japanese

紅葉

kōyō

The Japanese phrase for "autumn leaves" is 紅葉 (kōyō).

紅葉 refers to the colorful leaves of trees that change hue during the autumn season. It is the most commonly used word for "autumn leaves" in Japan.

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the characters for "red" (紅) and "leaves" (葉).

kōyō

Certain Japanese maple leaves are used as an ingredient in 'momiji tempura', where the leaves are salted, fried in batter and sweetened.
In Japan, the act of traveling to see the autumn colors is a formal seasonal activity called kōyō-gari, which literally means 'autumn leaf hunting'.
In Japan, the autumn colors are often viewed through a lens of 'mono no aware', a cultural concept describing the beauty of the impermanent and the bittersweet feeling of things passing.

散歩をしながら、トムは鮮やかな赤とオレンジ色の紅葉を堪能しました。
While taking a walk, Tom enjoyed the autumn leaves in vibrant red and orange.
This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 紅葉 when describing someone enjoying the vibrant colors during a walk.
Tatoeba #5401321 by Masahiro, translation #5401193 by Hime
季節の変わり目に、日本の紅葉を楽しむことはとても魅力的です。
It is very enchanting to enjoy the autumn leaves in Japan during the changing seasons.
今年は鴨川の紅葉を鑑賞するのが楽しみです。
I'm looking forward to observing the autumn leaves by the Kamogawa River this year.
山が紅葉で赤くなっています。
Yama ga kouyou de akaku natte imasu.
The mountains are turning red with autumn leaves.
近くの公園で紅葉を見ましょう。
Chikaku no kouen de kouyou o mimashou.
Let's go see the autumn leaves in the nearby park.

Misaki and Kenta are talking about their weekend plans.

美咲 Misaki

今週末、紅葉を見に行かない？
Konshuumatsu, kouyou o mi ni ikanai?
Do you want to go see the autumn leaves this weekend?
健太 Kenta

いいですね。どこに行きますか？
Ii desu ne. Doko ni ikimasu ka?
That sounds good. Where shall we go?
美咲 Misaki

近くの湖へ行きましょう。
Chikaku no mizuumi e ikimashou.
Let's go to the nearby lake.
健太 Kenta

そこは紅葉がとても綺麗ですよ。
Soko wa kouyou ga totemo kirei desu yo.
The autumn leaves there are very beautiful.

Sources

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