Between the gorgeous reds and oranges of autumn trees, the brisk breeze of a September morning, and the glow of a full harvest moon, the fall season is almost indescribably beautiful. For those moments when you need a way to discuss this transformational season, we’ve got a list of descriptive words for autumn in different languages. Learn the Japanese word for autumn, how to talk about fall weather in German, how to describe the vibrant foliage in Italian, and much more!
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How to say ‘autumn’ in different languages
The origin of the word autumn is a bit of a historical mystery. It likely dates back to the Latin season of autumnus, which could be derived from Vertumnus, the Etruscan god of the changing year. While we may not know the exact roots of autumn, it’s easy to see this ancient word in many languages around the world, including English, French, and Italian.
Other Germanic languages, like German and Dutch, use derivations of the word harvest to describe this season. (Fun fact: English speakers also used to call the season harvest until the 16th century, and started using the word fall to describe autumn’s falling leaves!)
| Language | “Autumn” | Pronunciation |
| Spanish | otoño | oh-TON-yo |
| French | automne | oh-TOHM-neh |
| Italian | autunno | ow-TOON-no |
| German | Herbst | hehrbst |
| Japanese | 秋 (Aki) | AH-kee |
| Russian | осень (osen) | OH-sehn |
| Dutch | herfst | hehrfst |
| Arabic | خريف (kharif) | hah-REEF-eh |
| Chinese | 秋天 (qiūtiān) | SHYOO-shee-ehn |
| Greek | φθινόπωρο (fthinóporo) | fthee-NO-poh-roh |
Words for autumn months in other languages
On the Gregorian calendar, autumn stretches across the months of September, October, and November. While months in this season have different names and dates on other dating systems, including the Islamic calendar (Shawwal, Dhu-al-Qi’dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah), you’ll find ways to describe the fall months in the Gregorian calendar listed below.
| Language | “September” | “October” | “November” |
| Spanish | septiembre | octubre | noviembre |
| French | septembre | octobre | novembre |
| Italian | settembre | ottobre | novembre |
| German | September | Oktober | November |
| Japanese | 九月 (kugatsu) | 十月 (jūgatsu) | 十一月 (jūichigatsu) |
| Russian | Сентябрь (Sentyabr’) | Октябрь (Oktyabr’) | Ноябрь (Noyabr’) |
| Dutch | september | oktober | november |
| Arabic | سبتمبر (sibtambar) | أكتوبر (‘uktubar) | نوفمبر (nufimbir) |
| Chinese | 九月 (Jiǔ yuè) | 十月 (Shí yuè) | 十一月 (Shíyī yuè) |
| Greek | Σεπτέμβριος (Septémvrios) | Οκτώβριος (Októvrios) | Νοέμβριος (Noémvrios) |
Autumn colors in different languages
How do you describe the colorful leaves on autumn trees? Discover how to say prominent fall colors, including orange, yellow, red, and brown, in ten different languages.
| Language | “Orange” | “Yellow” | “Red” | “Brown” |
| Spanish | naranja | amarilla/amarillo | roja/rojo | marrón |
| French | orange | jaune | rouge | brun |
| Italian | arancione | gialla/giallo | rossa/rosso | marrone |
| German | orange | gelb | rot | braun |
| Japanese | オレンジ色(orenjiiro) | 黄色 (kiiro) | 赤 (aka) | 茶色 (chairo) |
| Russian | апельсин (apel’sin) | желтый (zheltyy) | красный (krasnyy) | коричневый (korichnevyy) |
| Dutch | oranje | geel | rood | bruin |
| Arabic | برتقالي (burtuqali) | أصفر (‘asfar) | أحمر (‘ahmar) | بني (buni) |
| Chinese | 橙色 (Chéngze) | 黄色的 (Huángsè de) | 红色的 (Hóngsè de) | 棕色的 (Zōngsè de) |
| Greek | πορτοκάλι (portokáli) | κίτρινος (kítrinos) | κόκκινος (kókkinos) | καστανός (kastanós) |
Autumn weather words in other languages
There’s a big change between hot summer afternoons and chilly fall evenings! Find out how to describe the common seasonal climate with a list of descriptive words for autumn weather.
| Language | “Windy” | “Stormy” | “Rainy” | “Cool” |
| Spanish | ventoso | tempestuoso | lluvioso | frío |
| French | venteux | orageux | pluvieux | froid |
| Italian | ventoso | tempestoso | piovoso | freddo |
| German | windig | stürmisch | regnerisch | kühl |
| Japanese | 風が強い (kaze ga tsuyoi) | 嵐の (arashi no) | 雨が多い (ame ga ōi) | 冷たい (tsumetai) |
| Russian | ветрено (vetreno) | бурный (burnyy) | дождливый (dozhdlivyy) | прохладный (prokhladnyy) |
| Dutch | winderig | stormachtig | regenachtig | koel |
| Arabic | منسم (munasam) | عاصف (easif) | ممطر (mumtir) | بارد (bārid) |
| Chinese | 有风的 (Yǒu fēng de) | 暴风雨的(Bàofēngyǔ de) | 下雨的 (Xià yǔ de) | 凊 (jìng) |
| Greek | ανεμώδης (anemódis) | θυελλώδης (thyellódis) | βροχερός (vrocherós) | δροσερός (droserós) |
More autumn words in other languages to use this season
When you hear the words “pumpkin” and “harvest,” a picture of autumn already begins to form in your mind. Use these common words found in harvest idioms and sayings to describe the distinctive symbols of the season properly.
| Language | “Pumpkin” | “Harvest” | “Moon” | “Foliage” |
| Spanish | calabaza | cosecha | luna | follaje |
| French | citrouille | récolte | lune | feuillage |
| Italian | zucca | raccolto | luna | fogliame |
| German | Kürbis | Ernte | Mond | Laub |
| Japanese | パンプキン (panpukin) | 収穫 (Shūkaku) | 月 (Tsuki) | 紅葉 (Kōyō) |
| Russian | тыква (tykva) | урожай (urozhay) | луна (luna) | листва (listva) |
| Dutch | pompoen | oogst | maan | bladeren |
| Arabic | اليقطين (alyaqtin) | محصول (mahsul) | قمر (qamar) | أوراق (‘awraq) |
| Chinese | 南瓜 (nánguā) | 收成 (shōuchéng) | 月亮 (Yuèliàng) | 叶子(Yèzǐ) |
| Greek | Κολοκύθι (Kolokýthi) | συγκομιδή (synkomidí) | φεγγάρι (fengári) | φύλλωμα (fýlloma) |
Fall into a new language learning journey with Rosetta Stone
Autumn is a fascinating time of year. From common autumn superstitions (just ignore that black cat in your path) to words for seasonal fall foods, you’ll find many sights to behold—and many new words to learn!
Take this opportunity to begin a new language learning journey today. Learn more about how Rosetta Stone works, and get started on your very first lesson in your goal language!
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