Translation guide
Refers to the tree species Acer palmatum and its cultivars, known for delicate, often deeply lobed leaves and brilliant autumn colors. In Japanese, the general term is モミジ, but there are distinctions between モミジ and カエデ, and specific cultivars have their own names.
The speaker wants to refer to the Japanese maple tree, its leaves, or the iconic autumn foliage.
The most common and natural word for Japanese maple, especially when referring to the autumn leaves or the tree itself. Often written as 紅葉, but モミジ in katakana is also common. Note that 紅葉 can also be read コウヨウ, which refers to autumn leaves in general.
There is a Japanese maple tree in the garden.
In autumn, the Japanese maple leaves turn red.
Botanically refers to maples in general, but in everyday use often overlaps with モミジ. Some people distinguish them by leaf shape: モミジ has deeply lobed leaves, while カエデ has shallower lobes. However, this distinction is not strict, and モミジ is more common for the ornamental Japanese maple.
The maple leaves are beautiful, aren't they?
The speaker wants to refer to a particular type of Japanese maple, such as a weeping or red-leaf variety.
The most common species of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). Often used as the standard reference for the species.
Iroha-momiji is a typical Japanese maple.
A variety of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. matsumurae) with larger, more deeply lobed leaves. Often found in mountainous areas.
Yama-momiji has large leaves.
Weeping Japanese maple, a cultivar with cascading branches. Often used in gardens.
The weeping Japanese maple has drooping branches.
A cultivar with deep red-purple leaves that hold their color throughout the growing season. Often called 'bloodgood' in English.
Nomura-momiji has red leaves all year round.
The speaker wants to talk about the activity of viewing Japanese maple leaves in autumn.
The traditional activity of going to see autumn leaves, especially maples. Literally 'hunting autumn leaves'. Note that 紅葉 here is read もみじ.
Would you like to go see the autumn leaves this weekend?
In everyday Japanese, モミジ is the go-to word for Japanese maple, especially the ornamental tree with deeply lobed leaves. カエデ is a broader term for maples, but it's also used for Japanese maple in some contexts. Some Japanese people distinguish them by leaf shape: モミジ has leaves with deep, finger-like lobes, while カエデ has shallower lobes and a more hand-like shape. However, this is not a strict botanical rule, and the two words are often used interchangeably. If you're unsure, モミジ is the safer choice for the iconic Japanese maple.
The kanji 紅葉 can be read as モミジ (specifically Japanese maple) or コウヨウ (autumn leaves in general, including ginkgo, etc.). When you want to talk about the broader phenomenon of leaves changing color, use コウヨウ. For example, 紅葉がきれいです (こうようが きれいです) means 'the autumn leaves are beautiful' without specifying the tree type.