Translation guide
Describes lush, new green vegetation, often in spring or early summer. Japanese has several evocative words for this, ranging from general terms to poetic seasonal expressions.
To describe the vibrant green of new leaves, especially in spring or early summer.
The most common and versatile word for 'fresh green' or 'new leaves'. Used for the bright green of spring foliage.
To evoke the beauty of abundant green vegetation, often with a seasonal or literary nuance.
A poetic or literary term for a vivid, jewel-like green. Often used in names or artistic descriptions. Can also be read すい.
新緑 (shinryoku) is the standard term for the fresh green of spring. 若葉 (wakaba) emphasizes the youth of the leaves. 青葉 (aoba) is more general and can refer to any green leaves, often in early summer. For 'fresh verdure' as a concept, 新緑 is the best default.
新緑のトンネルを歩く。
Walking through a tunnel of fresh green.
若葉が風に揺れている。
The young leaves are swaying in the wind.
青葉の香りがする。
There's a scent of green leaves.
丘は新緑に覆われている。
The hills are covered with fresh verdure.
五月の新緑が大好きです。
I love the fresh verdure of May.
山々が新緑に覆われている。
The mountains are covered in fresh verdure.
新緑の季節になりました。
The season of fresh green has arrived.
Literally 'young leaves'. Emphasizes the newness and tenderness of the foliage. Often used in poetry and everyday language.
若葉が美しい季節です。
It's the season when young leaves are beautiful.
Literally 'green leaves'. Can refer to fresh green leaves, especially in early summer. Slightly more general than 新緑.
青葉がまぶしい。
The green leaves are dazzling.
Simply 'green' or 'greenery'. Very broad; context must make clear it refers to fresh vegetation.
雨上がりの緑が鮮やかだ。
The greenery after the rain is vivid.
翠の森
A forest of deep green
A literary word for a deep blue-green, like the sea or lush vegetation. Often used in poetic contexts.
碧の山々
Mountains of deep green
Specifically 'summer green'. Refers to the lush greenery of summer. A seasonal word (kigo) in haiku.
夏緑の候
In the season of summer green
While 緑 (midori) simply means 'green', it can be used for 'fresh verdure' when modified by adjectives like 鮮やかな (vivid) or 新緑の (of fresh green). However, 新緑 is more precise.
While 緑 (midori) simply means 'green', it can be used for 'fresh verdure' when modified by adjectives like 鮮やかな (vivid) or 新緑の (of fresh green). However, 新緑 is more precise.