开花
kāihuā
The English phrase 'blossom' translates to Chinese as 开花 (kāihuā).
开花 is used to refer to flowers on trees.
Meaning: flowers on trees (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 开花 is a compound of 开, meaning 'to open' and 花, meaning 'flower'.
Which one should you use?
While 开花 is the standard way to say a plant is flowering, 绽放 is a more literary and descriptive verb used to describe the beautiful act of blossoms opening or bursting into bloom.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 綻放 is a variation of 绽放 primarily used in Taiwanese Mandarin.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the state of blossoming has occurred or is currently in progress, you can add the particle 了 after 开花, forming 开花了.
How do you pronounce it?
kāihuā
Did you know?
- The character 花 can also function as a verb meaning 'to spend' or 'to play around', as seen in the term 花钱, meaning 'to spend money'.
- If you are talking about a person who is very flirtatious or much too fond of romance, the term 花心 (literally 'flower heart') is used to describe them.
- In Chinese culture, certain blossoms like the plum blossom are highly symbolic of resilience because they bloom in the cold of winter, unlike many other flowers.
Examples in context
- The cherry blossoms in the park 开花 (kāihuā) during spring, creating a magnificent sight.The cherry blossoms in the park blossom during spring, creating a magnificent sight.
- The tulips 盛开 (shèngkāi) every April, transforming the gardens into a colorful paradise.The tulips blossom every April, transforming the gardens into a colorful paradise.
- The lotus flowers 绽放 (zhànfàng) in the pond, turning it into a picturesque scene.The lotus flowers blossom in the pond, turning it into a picturesque scene.
- Every spring, the cherry blossoms in Beijing 开花 (kāihuā), covering the city in a delicate pink hue.Every spring, the cherry blossoms in Beijing blossom, covering the city in a delicate pink hue.
- 你看，那棵树开花了。Nǐ kàn, nà kē shù kāihuā le.Look, that tree is blossoming.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a park during spring.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，你看那些花开花了！jùnjié, nǐ kàn nàxiē huā kāihuā le!Junjie, look, those flowers have blossomed!
- 俊杰 Junjie真的，今年的开花很早。zhēnde, jīnnián de kāihuā hěn zǎo.True, the blossoming is very early this year.
- 梓涵 Zihan这里看起来像画一样。zhèlǐ kàn qǐlái xiàng huà yīyàng.It looks like a painting here.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们快去拍照吧。wǒmen kuài qù pāizhào ba.Let's go take some photos quickly.
