Translation guide
The word 'maple' refers to the tree, its wood, or the flavor. In Japanese, the most common word is カエデ, but モミジ is also used, especially for ornamental varieties with red leaves. The distinction can be subtle.
Referring to the maple tree as a plant, in botanical or everyday contexts.
The general term for maple trees. Often written in katakana, but can also be written as 楓 in kanji.
I planted a maple tree in my garden.
Often refers to maple trees with deeply lobed leaves that turn red in autumn, but can be used broadly for maples. Commonly written as 紅葉.
Referring to maple wood, used in furniture, flooring, or crafts.
Referring to maple flavor, especially maple syrup.
Referring to the colorful autumn leaves, often associated with maples.
Means 'autumn leaves' or 'changing colors'. Can refer to the leaves themselves or the phenomenon. Often implies maple leaves.
I went to Kyoto to see the autumn leaves.
Also used for the autumn leaves, especially when referring to the maple leaves themselves.
カエデ is the broader botanical term for maples. モミジ often refers to ornamental varieties with deeply cut leaves that turn red, but in everyday speech, モミジ is very common for any maple with beautiful autumn color. If you're unsure, カエデ is safe for the tree, モミジ for the autumn leaves.
秋になるとモミジがきれいです。
In autumn, the maples are beautiful.
The maple leaves turned bright red.