枯れ葉

• Reading: かれは
• Romaji: kareha
• Kanji breakdown: 枯 (ko/ka) — wither, dry up | 葉 (you/ha) — leaf
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɾe.ha/

Meaning

Dead leaf; fallen leaf; withered leaf. A leaf that has dried out and died, typically carpeting the ground in autumn or winter.

A compound combining 枯れる (to wither, die) and 葉 (leaf). Associated with the melancholy of late autumn and winter in Japanese literature and poetry. Often used metaphorically to describe something past its prime or the remnants of former life. Appears frequently in haiku as a kigo (seasonal word) for winter.

Examples

1. 風が吹くたびに枯れ葉が舞い上がり、足元に積もっていった。 Every time the wind blew, dead leaves swirled up and accumulated at one's feet.
2. 枯れ葉を踏む乾いた音が、秋の深まりを告げていた。 The dry sound of treading on fallen leaves announced the deepening of autumn.
3. 公園の池には枯れ葉が浮かんで、静かな秋の風情を醸し出していた。 Withered leaves floated on the surface of the park pond, creating a quiet autumnal atmosphere.

Usage Guide

Context: haiku, autumn imagery, nature writing, metaphor

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 枯れ (kare-, stem of 枯れる, 'to wither') and 葉 (ha/ba, 'leaf'). 枯れる derives from Old Japanese, expressing the loss of vitality in plants as winter approaches.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal