桜
sakura[sa̠kɯ̟ɾa̠]
The English phrase "cherry blossom" is translated into Japanese as 桜 (sakura). If unsure, use 桜. Wiktionary also lists 桜花 (ōka) and 櫻花.
Meaning: blossom of the cherry tree (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 桜 | sakura | [sa̠kɯ̟ɾa̠] (narrow) | |
| 桜花 | ōka | [o̞ːka̠] (narrow) [sa̠kɯ̟ɾa̠ba̠na̠] (narrow) |
|
| 櫻花 | kyūjitai |
The term is used to refer to the blossoms of the cherry tree. While 桜 is the standard way to refer to both the blossom and the tree itself, you can use 桜の木 (sakura no ki) if you want to specifically emphasize the "cherry tree" rather than just the blossom.
Which one should you use?
桜 is the standard, everyday form used for both the tree and its blossoms. In contrast, 桜花 is a more literary and formal way to refer specifically to the blossoms and it is less common in daily conversation. If you are referring specifically to mountain cherry blossoms, the term used is 山桜 (yamazakura).
How do you pronounce it?
sakura
Did you know?
- The phrase 桜吹雪 (sakura fubuki) describes falling petals as a 'cherry blossom blizzard'.
- Japanese people use the practice of 花見 (hanami) to officially 'view' the 桜, often involving elaborate picnics under the trees.
- In Japanese literature, the term 桜 is often used as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and beauty, because the blossoms fall almost as soon as they appear.
Examples in context
- 桜が舞い散っている。Cherry blossom is wafting down from the trees.This sentence shows the use of 桜 to describe blossoms wafting down from trees.Tatoeba #13569100 by small_snow, translation #11828473 by sundown
- 桜の季節が大好きです。I love cherry blossom season.This sentence uses 桜 to talk about the cherry blossom season.Tatoeba #12163699 by small_snow, translation #12163698 by CK
- 桜、めっちゃきれいやん。Cherry blossom is very beautiful.This sentence uses 桜 to express that the blossoms are very beautiful.Tatoeba #11846461 by small_snow, translation #11821631 by sundown
- 道沿いの桜の木が満開です。The sakura trees along the street are in full bloom.
- 桜の下で花見ピクニックしよう！Let's have a hanami picnic under the sakura!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple walking through a park in spring.
- 結衣 Yui桜が満開だよ。Sakura ga mankai da yo.The cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ、きれいだね。Hontou da, kirei da ne.You're right, they're beautiful.
- 結衣 Yuiここで写真を撮ろう。Koko de shashin o torou.Let's take a photo here.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいよ、撮ろう。Ii yo, torou.Okay, let's do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cherry blossom” translations and entries 桜, 桜花, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
