樱花
yīnghuā
The English phrase "cherry blossom" is 樱花 (yīnghuā) in Mandarin.
樱花 refers to the blossom of the cherry tree.
Meaning: blossom of the cherry tree (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 樱 (yīng), which refers to the cherry tree and 花 (huā), which means flower or blossom.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the term 櫻花 is used instead of 樱花.
How do you pronounce it?
yīnghuā
Did you know?
- The character 花 (huā) is so versatile that it can also mean 'to spend' when referring to money, though its meaning in 樱花 remains strictly botanical.
- In Mandarin, 樱 is used for cherries, but the word for 'cherry' as a fruit is often 樱桃 (yīngtáo), which adds a separate character for 'pit' or 'stone'.
- While 樱花 refers to cherry blossoms, the term 赏花 (shǎnghuā) specifically describes the cultural activity of 'appreciating flowers' while strolling through the blooms.
Examples in context
- 最近是樱花盛开的季节。It's the season when cherry blossoms are in full bloom recently.
- 春天，樱花树开满了粉红色的花朵。In spring, the cherry blossom trees are covered in pink flowers.
- 樱花开了。The cherry blossoms have bloomed.
- 这里的樱花很美。Zhèlǐ de yīnghuā hěn měi.The cherry blossoms here are beautiful.
- 我想拍一些樱花照片。Wǒ xiǎng pāi yīxiē yīnghuā zhàopiàn.I want to take some photos of the cherry blossoms.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a park during spring.
- 俊杰 Junjie欣怡，你看那些樱花！Xīnyí, nǐ kàn nàxiē yīnghuā!Xinyi, look at those cherry blossoms!
- 欣怡 Xinyi真的，太美了。Zhēnde, tài měile.Really, they are so beautiful.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们要拍张照片吗？Wǒmen yào pāi zhāng zhàopiàn ma?Should we take a photo?
- 欣怡 Xinyi好主意，快拍吧。Hǎo zhǔyì, kuài pāi ba.Good idea, let's do it.
