How to say "greens" in Japanese

• 菜なCommon
  nounThe broader of the two: it covers greens and vegetables generally, not only leafy ones. Typical contexts include cooking, gardening, and shopping, where vegetables as a category are being discussed.
• 青菜あおなCommon
  nounThe more specific word: it means green, leafy vegetables, where the greenness of the leaves is central. A typical context is cooking, when talking about preparing or serving leafy greens.
  彼かれ、今日こんにち、精彩せいさいがないね。青菜あおなに塩しおだね。↗

  He seems really depressed and lifeless today. I wonder what took the wind out of his sails.

菜 is the broader term, covering greens and vegetables generally, while 青菜 refers specifically to green, leafy vegetables; use 青菜 when the green leaves are the point, and 菜 for vegetables as a whole.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 菜なgreens
• 青菜あおなgreens
• 前栽物せんざいものgreens
• 蔬菜そさいgreens
• 菜っ葉なっぱleaf vegetable
• 菜類なるい(edible) greens
• 野菜類やさいるい(edible) greens
• 青物あおものvegetables