Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| flor de cerezo | /floɾ de θeɾeθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /floɾ de seɾeso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| sakura | /saˈkuɾa/ | feminine |
| flor del cerezo | /floɾ del θeɾeθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /floɾ del seɾeso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
The terms used to describe a cherry blossom refer specifically to the blossom of the cherry tree. While flor de cerezo refers to the blossom itself, the word cerezo refers to the entire cherry tree.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase flor de cerezo is composed of flor (flower), de (of) and cerezo (cherry tree).
Which one should you use?
flor de cerezo refers to the blossom, whereas cerezo refers to the whole tree. You may also encounter sakura, which is the Japanese word used in Spanish contexts when specifically discussing Japanese culture or aesthetics.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term flor del cerezo is commonly used, while in Mexico, the term flor de cerezo is widely used and well-understood.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple blossoms, you change flor to the plural flores, but cerezo remains singular because it acts as a noun adjunct describing the type of flower (e.g., las flores de cerezo).
How do you pronounce it?
/floɾ de θeɾeθo/
When do people say it?
The term sakura is sometimes used in Spanish-speaking contexts, particularly when discussing Japanese culture or aesthetics, rather than using a literal Spanish translation.
Did you know?
- In Spanish literature and poetry, the flor de cerezo is often used as a metaphor for the fragility and brevity of life, mirroring the Japanese concept of 'mono no aware'.
- When using the Japanese loanword sakura in Spanish, speakers often treat it as a feminine noun, matching the gender of flor.
- While the phrase flor de cerezo describes the plant, Spanish has a specific word, cereza, for the fruit, which is distinct from cerezo used for the tree.
Examples in context
- La flor del cerezo es para Japón lo que la rosa es para Inglaterra.The cherry blossom is to Japan what the rose is to England.This sentence uses flor del cerezo to compare the cultural significance of the blossom to the rose in England.Tatoeba #2298189 by marcelostockle, translation #281392 by CN
- Eres tan hermosa como una flor de cerezo.You are pretty, like a cherry blossom.This sentence uses flor de cerezo to make a comparison of beauty.Tatoeba #631561 by BraveSentry, translation #466949 by tamsanh
- Me encanta el cerezo en flor. Las flores rosadas son realmente hermosas.I love the cherry blossom. The pink flowers are truly beautiful.
- Ayer paseaba por el parque y vi una flor del cerezo muy bonita.Yesterday I was walking through the park and saw a very beautiful cherry blossom.
- ¿Has visto los hermosos cerezos en flor cerca del río?Have you seen the beautiful blossoming cherry trees near the river?
- La flor de cerezo cae con la brisa.The cherry blossom falls with the breeze.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are walking through a park.
- JavierMira, ¡una flor de cerezo!Look, a cherry blossom!
- ElenaEs realmente preciosa, Javier.It is truly beautiful, Javier.
- JavierSolo florece por poco tiempo.It only blooms for a short time.
- ElenaPor eso es tan especial.That is why it is so special.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cherry blossom” translations and entries flor de cerezo, sakura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
