葉
ha[ha̠]
The Japanese word for "leaf" is 葉 (ha). Wiktionary also lists 葉っぱ (happa) and 木の葉 (konoha).
Meaning: part of a plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 葉 | ha | [ha̠] (narrow) [jo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 葉っぱ | happa | [ha̠p̚pa̠] (narrow) |
| 木の葉 | konoha | [ko̞no̞ha̠] (narrow) |
All forms of the word refer to the part of a plant. 葉っぱ is a common and straightforward way to say "leaf" in everyday Japanese. For a more specific or poetic reference to leaves on trees, the term 木の葉 is used.
Which one should you use?
葉っぱ is more common in casual, everyday conversation than the formal 葉. 木の葉 is used specifically in poetic or literary contexts to refer to the leaves of trees.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
葉っぱ is a colloquial version. 木の葉 is a literary form.
How do you pronounce it?
ha
Did you know?
- In casual conversation, 葉っぱ is often used as a slang term for marijuana.
- Some linguistic theories link 葉 to 歯, meaning 'tooth', because both leaves and teeth sprout and eventually fall out.
Examples in context
- 見て！四つ葉！Look! A four-leaf clover!This sentence shows how to use 葉 when referring to a four-leaf clover.Tatoeba #10746415 by small_snow, translation #9723101 by ariarin
- 木々は葉をつけ始めた。The trees began to come into leaf.This sentence illustrates how to use 葉 to describe trees beginning to grow leaves.Tatoeba #80055 by small_snow, translation #323662 by sundown
- 木の葉が次々と地面に落ちた。Leaf after leaf fell to the ground.This sentence demonstrates the use of 葉 when describing leaves falling from trees.Tatoeba #80118 by KK_kaku_, translation #323599 by CM
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are walking in a park during autumn.
- 結衣 Yuiこの葉はとても赤いです。Kono ha wa totemo akai desu.This leaf is very red.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。きれいな葉ですね。Hontou da. Kirei na ha desu ne.You're right. It's a beautiful leaf, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yui健太くん、見て！Kenta-kun, mite!Kenta, look!
- 健太 Kentaわあ、落ち葉がいっぱいだ。Waa, ochiba ga ippai da.Wow, there are so many fallen leaves.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leaf” translations and entries 葉, 葉っぱ, 木の葉, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 木の葉, 葉, 葉っぱ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
