How to Say "Petal" in Japanese

花びら

hanabira[ha̠na̠bʲiɾa̠]

The Japanese word for 'petal' is 花びら (hanabira). Wiktionary also lists 花弁 (kaben).

Meaning: one of the component parts of the corolla of a flower (noun)

Ways to say it

“petal” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
花びら	hanabira	[ha̠na̠bʲiɾa̠] (narrow)
花弁	kaben

The term refers to one of the component parts of the corolla of a flower.

花びら (hanabira) is the common, everyday term, whereas 花弁 (kaben) is a more technical or formal term used in botanical or literary contexts.

Japanese nouns do not change form for plurality, so 花びら can mean both 'petal' and 'petals' depending on the context.

hanabira

Cherry blossom petals, known as 桜の花びら, symbolize the beauty and transience of life in Japanese culture.

In the context of 'cherry blossom petals' falling into a drink, the term 花筏 (hanaikada), meaning 'flower raft', is used to describe petals floating together on water.
The word 花びら is a combination of 花 (flower) and a suffix derived from the word for 'wing', suggesting that petals are like the wings of a flower.
The phrase 花吹雪 (hanafubuki) literally means 'flower snowstorm' and describes the sight of countless 花びら dancing in the wind.

花びらが一枚落ちました。
Hanabira ga ichimai ochimashita.
One petal has fallen.
この花びらはとても柔らかいです。
Kono hanabira wa totemo yawarakai desu.
This petal is very soft.
ピンク色の花びらが綺麗ですね。
Pinku-iro no hanabira ga kirei desu ne.
The pink petals are beautiful, aren't they?

Daito and Himari are looking at cherry blossoms in a park.

大翔 Hiroto

見て、風で花びらが舞っているよ。
Mite, kaze de hanabira ga matte iru yo.
Look, the petals are dancing in the wind.
陽葵 Himari

本当にきれい。雪みたいですね。
Hontō ni kirei. Yuki mitai desu ne.
They are really beautiful. It looks like snow.
大翔 Hiroto

陽葵の肩に花びらがついてるよ。
Himari no kata ni hanabira ga tsuite iru yo.
Himari, there is a petal on your shoulder.
陽葵 Himari

あ、本当だ。ありがとう、大翔君。
A, hontō da. Arigatō, Daito-kun.
Oh, you're right. Thank you, Daito.

Sources

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