木この葉は

also: きのは

こ

の

は

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

expression, noun

tree leaf; foliage

Refers to leaves of a tree, either individually or collectively. Often used in poetic or descriptive contexts.

秋あきになると、木この葉はが赤あかや黄き色いろに色いろづく。
In autumn, the tree leaves turn red and yellow.
風かぜで木この葉はが舞まい

上あ

がっ

た

。

The wind sent the leaves swirling up.

Written forms

木の葉Usage97%
- このは
  Standard kanji spelling; the reading このは is the most common.
- きのは
  Alternate reading きのは is less common and may be considered old-fashioned or literary.
コノハUsage3%
きのは

Kanji

木tree, wood
葉leaf, plane, lobe

Similar words

葉はっぱ
葉っぱ is a more casual, everyday word for leaf, while 木の葉 specifically emphasizes that it is a tree leaf and can sound slightly more literary.
落おち葉ば
落ち葉 refers specifically to fallen leaves, whereas 木の葉 can refer to leaves still on the tree or fallen.

Etymology

Compound of 木 (き/こ, 'tree') + の (possessive particle) + 葉 (は, 'leaf'). The reading このは is a common rendaku form, while きのは preserves the original reading of 木.