How to say "maple" in Japanese

• 紅葉もみじJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe common, everyday word for the maple tree and its leaves; the characters mean 'crimson leaves', so it strongly evokes brilliant red autumn foliage, as in descriptions of autumn colors.
• メープル
  nounThe loanword, typically for the Western maple: the North American tree, and the sweet syrup flavor associated with it, rather than the maples of Japanese scenery.
• 楓かえで
  nounThe botanical word, covering maples as a genus (Acer); it names the tree itself, without the crimson-autumn coloring that 紅葉 suggests. Use it when simply identifying the tree.
  かえでは秋あきに赤あかくなります。↗

  Maples turn red in fall.
• 松楓しょうふう
  nounAn uncommon word, literally combining 'pine' and 'maple'; it is seldom the word you want for the tree itself, and 紅葉 or 楓 serves ordinary needs.
• 蔦紅葉つたもみじ
  nounNot really a word for the maple tree: it denotes ivy whose leaves turn scarlet in autumn, touching 'maple' only through that red foliage; use 紅葉 or 楓 for the tree.

For the ordinary maple tree and its red autumn leaves use 紅葉; for the tree as a botanical species use 楓; 「メープル」 covers the Western maple and its syrup flavor, while 松楓 and 蔦紅葉 are rare or only marginal.

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

• 紅葉もみじmaple (tree)
• メープルmaple
• 楓かえでmaple (Acer spp.)
• 松楓しょうふうmaple
• 蔦紅葉つたもみじmaple