菊の花
kiku no hana
The Japanese phrase for chrysanthemum flower is 菊の花 (kiku no hana).
The phrase refers to a flower from a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum. Note that the word 菊 (kiku) has multiple meanings in Japanese, and can also mean "to listen" or "to hear".
What does it mean word for word?
菊 (kiku) means chrysanthemum.
How does it change in a sentence?
In many contexts, the word 菊 alone is sufficient to refer to the chrysanthemum flower without needing to add 花.
How do you pronounce it?
kiku no hana
Did you know?
- In Japan, presenting 菊の花 as a gift or placing them at a celebration can be seen as a mistake because they are strongly associated with funerals and death.
- The 菊 is the official symbol of the Imperial House of Japan and appears on the Japanese passport. It is considered so prestigious that it was historically forbidden for anyone but the Emperor to use the symbol.
- The chrysanthemum is the national flower of Japan, but it is not the only one. While the 菊 represents the Emperor, the cherry blossom represents the people.
Examples in context
- 田中さん、今度の式典で美しい菊の花を使いたいと思っています。Tanaka-san, I am thinking of using beautiful kiku flowers for the upcoming ceremony.
- この庭園では、伝統的な菊の花展が行われています。In this garden, a traditional chrysanthemum flower exhibition is being held.
- 庭に菊の花が咲いています。Niwa ni kiku no hana ga saite imasu.Chrysanthemum flowers are blooming in the garden.
- この菊の花はとても綺麗ですね。Kono kiku no hana wa totemo kirei desu ne.This chrysanthemum flower is very beautiful, isn't it?
- 菊の花を花瓶に生けました。Kiku no hana o kabin ni ikemashita.I arranged the chrysanthemum flowers in a vase.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are looking at flowers at a market.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、この菊の花を見て。Yota-kun, kono kiku no hana o mite.Yota, look at these chrysanthemum flowers.
- 陽太 Yota本当にきれいな色だね。Hontou ni kirei na iro da ne.The color is really beautiful.
- 美咲 Misaki菊の花を一つ買いましょうか。Kiku no hana o hitotsu kaimashou ka.Shall we buy one chrysanthemum flower?
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね。買いましょう。Ii desu ne. Kaimashou.That sounds good. Let's buy it.
