花
haná[ha̠na̠]
The English phrase 'blossom' (referring to flowers on trees) is translated into Japanese as 花 (haná).
The term 花 is a general word used for both individual flowers and the blossoms found on trees. If you are specifically referring to cherry blossoms, you can use the word 桜. To describe a state where blossoms are at their peak, the term 満開 is used to mean 'full bloom'.
Meaning: flowers on trees (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 花 is the general term for flowers and blossoms, 桜花 is a more formal way to specifically say 'cherry blossom'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of blossoming or flowers blooming, you combine the noun 花 with the verb 咲く.
How do you pronounce it?
haná
Did you know?
- In the world of sumo wrestling, a 'flower' 花 refers to the flashy, exciting style of a wrestler who entertains the crowd.
- There is a unique Japanese aesthetic concept called もののあわれ that views the falling of 花 as a poignant reminder of the impermanence of life.
- In a poetic or traditional context, simply saying 花 (hana) often implies 'cherry blossoms' rather than any other kind of flower, because the cherry blossom is so culturally central.
Examples in context
- あんずの花が満開だ。The apricot trees are in full blossom.This sentence is useful for describing the state of the apricot blossoms using 花.Tatoeba #229610 by small_snow, translation #66972 by Eldad
- 花はもうすぐ咲くよ。The flowers will soon blossom.This sentence shows how to use 花 to describe flowers that will soon blossom.Tatoeba #8637349 by small_snow, translation #1776157 by Objectivesea
- 桃の木は、通常春に花をつける。Peach trees typically blossom in spring.This sentence uses 花 to describe when peach trees typically blossom.Tatoeba #8637379 by small_snow, translation #6878428 by Hybrid
- 桜が咲いていますThe cherry blossoms are in bloom.
- 春になると花が咲くWhen spring comes, flowers bloom.
- 美しい花Beautiful flowers
- 毎年、桜が満開になります。Every year, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
- 私の家の庭には、美しい花が咲いています。Beautiful flowers are blooming in my garden.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is walking through a park in spring.
- 大翔 Hiroto桜の花がとても綺麗だね。Sakura no hana ga totemo kirei da ne.The cherry blossoms are very beautiful, aren't they?
- 陽葵 Himari本当。春らしくて素敵！Hontou. Haru rashikute suteki!Truly. They look lovely and very spring-like!
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこに花が落ちているよ。Asoko ni hana ga ochite iru yo.The blossoms are falling over there.
- 陽葵 Himari風が吹くと、花が舞うね。Kaze ga fuku to, hana ga mau ne.When the wind blows, the blossoms dance, don't they?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blossom” translations and entries 花, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
