Meaning

Primary

Autumn Leaves

Alternatives

Red Leaves, Leaves Turning Red

Word Type

noun, verbal noun

Explanation

You've got some deep red leaves. You'll usually see those during autumn, which makes this autumn leaves. Just red leaves is fine too, though.

Note that this refers not only to the leaves themselves, but also the process of them changing color, so this can also mean leaves turning red.

Reading

こうよう
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)
もみじ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. As you haven't learned this reading for yet, here's a mnemonic to help you:

Your favorite pastime during autumn is sitting there admiring the autumn leaves while eating some yogurt (よう). There's no better combination than autumn leaves and yogurt.

Note that there's also an additional reading, もみじ, used to refer to the Japanese maple tree, or its leaves, but we'd like you to focus on こうよう for this one.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 紅葉が見られる

    can see autumn foliage

    紅葉が楽しめる

    can enjoy autumn foliage

    紅葉が始まる

    autumn foliage begins

Context Sentences

京都に紅葉を見に行きませんか?

Why don't we go to Kyoto to see the autumn leaves?

今年も紅葉シーズンが始まりましたね。

The autumn foliage season for this year has begun.

うちの庭の紅葉の木はまだ紅葉してません。

The Japanese maple in my yard has not yet turned red.

「紅葉の紅葉」は「モミジのこうよう」って読むんですよ。

"紅葉の紅葉" is read "momiji no kōyō."

Kanji Composition