桜の花
sakura no hana
The English phrase sakura blossom is translated into Japanese as 桜の花 (sakura no hana).
桜の花 is used to specifically mean sakura flowers or the flowers of the cherry blossom tree.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 桜 (sakura, cherry blossom), の (no, a possessive particle) and 花 (hana, flower).
Which one should you use?
While 桜の花 specifically refers to the flower itself, the word 桜 is often used alone to refer to both the cherry tree and its blossoms. In many contexts, such as discussing the season or the scenery, Japanese speakers will simply say 桜 instead of the more descriptive 桜の花.
How do you pronounce it?
sakura no hana
Did you know?
- While 'sakura' refers to the flowers, the word is also used as a metaphor in Japanese slang for a 'plant' or an undercover agent who is secretly working for someone else to influence a situation.
- The Japanese weather service tracks the 桜前線, or 'cherry blossom front', which maps the progression of the blooms as they move from the south to the north of the country.
- The term 桜吹雪 describes a 'cherry blossom blizzard', specifically the moment when 桜の花 fall in such volume that they look like swirling snow.
Examples in context
- 桜が満開だ！一緒にお花見に行かない？The cherry blossoms are in full bloom! Shall we go cherry blossom viewing together?
- 桜の花が綺麗ですね。Sakura no hana ga kirei desu ne.The sakura blossom is beautiful, isn't it?
- 公園に桜の花が咲いています。Kouen ni sakura no hana ga saite imasu.The sakura blossoms are blooming in the park.
- 桜の花の下で写真を撮りましょう。Sakura no hana no shita de shashin o torimashou.Let's take a photo under the sakura blossom.
Example conversation
A couple walking through a park in spring.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さん、桜の花がとても綺麗ですよ。Hiroto-san, sakura no hana ga totemo kirei desu yo.Hiroto, the sakura blossoms are very beautiful.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当ですね。美咲さんと見られて嬉しいです。Hontou desu ne. Misaki-san to mirarete ureshii desu.You're right. I'm happy to see them with you, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiこの桜の花、写真に撮ってもいいですか？Kono sakura no hana, shashin ni totte mo ii desu ka?Can I take a photo of these sakura blossoms?
- 大翔 Hirotoもちろんです。一緒に撮りましょう。Mochiron desu. Issho ni torimashou.Of course. Let's take one together.
