桜の木
sakura no ki
The English phrase "cherry blossom tree" is translated into Japanese as 桜の木 (sakura no ki).
This phrase refers to a tree that produces pink or white flowers in the spring. While 桜の木 is the full phrase for the tree, speakers often omit the word for tree and simply say 桜 in casual or poetic contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 桜 (sakura, cherry blossom), the particle の (no, possessive particle) and 木 (ki, tree).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hokkaido, the term エゾヤマザクラ refers to a specific variety of cherry blossom tree. In Hiroshima, the term ヒロシマヤマザクラ denotes a local species of cherry blossom tree.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle の is used to link the noun 桜 to the noun 木, functioning like "of" in "tree of cherry blossoms".
How do you pronounce it?
sakura no ki
Did you know?
- The word 桜 is frequently used as a metaphor for the 'ephemeral' or 'fleeting' nature of life because the petals fall so quickly after blooming.
- The custom of 花見 ('flower viewing') involves not just looking at the 桜の木, but is a social ritual centered on picnicking, drinking and poetry under the branches.
- While 桜 is associated with pink, the word is also used to describe a specific 'sakura-colored' pink that is distinct from other pinks in traditional Japanese art and clothing.
Examples in context
- 京都には美しい桜の木がたくさんあります。There are many beautiful cherry blossom trees in Kyoto.
- 春になると公園にはたくさんの桜の木が咲くんだよ。Many cherry blossom trees bloom in the park when spring comes.
- 今日は桜の木を見に行こう。めっちゃ綺麗に咲いとるで。Let's go see the cherry blossom tree today. It's blooming beautifully.
- あの桜の木はとても綺麗ですね。Ano sakura no ki wa totemo kirei desu ne.That cherry blossom tree is very beautiful, isn't it?
- 庭に大きな桜の木があります。Niwa ni ookina sakura no ki ga arimasu.There is a large cherry blossom tree in the garden.
- 公園の桜の木の下で休みましょう。Kouen no sakura no ki no shita de yasumimashou.Let's rest under the cherry blossom tree in the park.
Example conversation
Daito and Himari are walking in a park during spring.
- 大翔 Hiroto見て、あそこに大きな桜の木があるよ。Mite, asoko ni ookina sakura no ki ga aru yo.Look, there is a big cherry blossom tree over there.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ！花がすごくたくさん咲いているね。Hontou da! Hana ga sugoku takusan saite iru ne.You're right! There are so many flowers blooming.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの桜の木の下で写真を撮ろうか。Kono sakura no ki no shita de shashin o torou ka.Shall we take a photo under this cherry blossom tree?
- 陽葵 Himariいいアイデアだね。お願い！Ii aidea da ne. Onegai!That's a great idea. Please do!
