常緑

• Reading: じょうりょく
• Romaji: joryoku
• Kanji breakdown: 常 (jo/tsune) — always, constant; 緑 (ryoku/midori) — green
• Pronunciation: /dʑoː.ɾjo.kɯ/

Meaning

Evergreen; remaining green throughout the year. Used to describe trees and plants that do not shed their leaves seasonally.

A botanical adjective and noun used in scientific and everyday contexts. 常緑 contrasts with 落葉 (deciduous). Common compound forms include 常緑樹 (evergreen tree) and 常緑低木 (evergreen shrub). In Japanese gardens, evergreens are highly valued for providing visual continuity across all four seasons.

Examples

1. 常緑樹は冬でも葉を落とさず、庭に年間を通じた緑を与えてくれる。 Evergreen trees do not drop their leaves even in winter, providing the garden with year-round greenery.
2. この森は常緑の針葉樹が主体で、冬でも暗く鬱蒼とした雰囲気を持つ。 This forest is dominated by evergreen conifers, giving it a dark and dense atmosphere even in winter.
3. 庭師は常緑低木を生垣に使うことで、冬場の目隠しにもなると勧めた。 The gardener recommended using evergreen shrubs for the hedge, as they also serve as a privacy screen in winter.

Usage Guide

Context: botany, gardening, nature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 常 (constant, always) and 緑 (green). The term literally means 'always green,' describing the property of retaining foliage through all seasons.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal