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.

Kanji

木tree, wood
葉leaf, plane, lobe

Related words

葉はっぱN1
葉っぱ is a casual, everyday word for a leaf, while 木の葉 specifically emphasizes it is a tree's leaf and carries a more literary tone.

Don't confuse with

落おち葉ばN1
落ち葉 refers only to leaves that have already fallen, whereas 木の葉 can describe leaves still on the tree as well as fallen ones.

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%

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.

きのは