Translation guide
Describes grass that is green in color, typically healthy, fresh, or lush. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the adjective 青い (aoi), which historically covers both blue and green for vegetation. The more specific 緑 (midori) is also used, especially in modern contexts.
To describe grass that is green, as in a lawn, field, or natural setting.
This phrase uses the adverb 青々と (aoao to) meaning 'lushly green' or 'verdantly', combined with した (shita) to modify the noun 草 (kusa, grass). It emphasizes the fresh, vibrant greenness of grass and is very natural for describing healthy green grass.
公園の青々とした草の上でピクニックをした。
We had a picnic on the lush green grass in the park.
Uses 緑 (midori, green) to directly describe the color. This is straightforward and easily understood, though slightly less idiomatic than 青々とした for lushness. It is perfectly acceptable and common in modern Japanese.
雨が降った後、庭の緑の草がきれいだ。
After the rain, the green grass in the garden is beautiful.
A compound noun meaning 'green grass' or 'fresh grass'. It is somewhat literary or used in specific contexts like agriculture or poetry. Not as common in everyday speech.
牛が青草を食べている。
The cows are eating green grass.
To refer to green grass in a metaphorical or conceptual sense, such as in proverbs or comparisons.
This is the Japanese equivalent of the proverb 'the grass is always greener on the other side'. It literally means 'the neighbor's lawn is green/blue'. Note that 芝生 (shibafu) means 'lawn' rather than generic grass, and 青い (aoi) is used for green.
彼はいつも隣の芝生は青いと思っている。
He always thinks the grass is greener on the other side.
A more literal 'green lawn', using 緑 (midori). This can be used in non-proverbial contexts to describe a well-kept lawn.
彼の家の前には美しい緑の芝生が広がっている。
A beautiful green lawn spreads out in front of his house.
In Japanese, 青 (ao) traditionally covers both blue and green for certain natural objects like grass, leaves, and traffic lights. Using 青々とした (aoao to shita) for lush green grass is very natural and idiomatic. 緑 (midori) is also correct and increasingly common, especially in modern or color-specific contexts. Both are acceptable, but 青々とした carries a nuance of freshness and vitality.