樱花
yīnghuā
The English phrase sakura is translated into Chinese as 樱花 (yīnghuā).
樱花 refers specifically to the blossom of the Japanese cherry tree.
Meaning: blossom of the Japanese cherry tree (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 樱, which refers to the cherry tree and 花, which means flower or blossom.
Which one should you use?
While 樱花 (yīnghuā) specifically refers to the cherry blossom, the broader term 桃花 (táohuā) refers to peach blossoms, which are often confused by learners due to similar visual aesthetics. Additionally, do not confuse the blossom with the fruit: 樱桃 (yīngtáo) refers to the cherry fruit, whereas 樱花 refers to the blossom.
How do you pronounce it?
yīnghuā
Did you know?
- While 樱花 describes the blossom, the word for cherry fruit 樱桃 uses a character 桃 that literally means 'peach', suggesting cherries were historically viewed as a type of peach.
- If you want to describe the act of viewing the blossoms, you would use the phrase 赏樱 (shǎng yīng), which elevates the simple act of 'looking' to a culturally significant 'appreciation'.
- In Chinese culture, 樱花 is often associated with the fleeting nature of life, a sentiment shared with the Japanese concept of 'mono no aware'.
Examples in context
- 春天是樱花盛开的季节。Spring is the season when cherry blossoms bloom.
- 我喜欢在樱花树下读书。I enjoy reading under the cherry blossom tree.
- 樱花开了。Yīnghuā kāi le.The cherry blossoms have bloomed.
- 这里的樱花很漂亮。Zhèlǐ de yīnghuā hěn piàoliang.The cherry blossoms here are very beautiful.
- 我想去公园看樱花。Wǒ xiǎng qù gōngyuán kàn yīnghuā.I want to go to the park to see the cherry blossoms.
Example conversation
A couple is planning a weekend trip to see the flowers.
- 志强 Zhiqiang梓涵，我们去公园看樱花吧。Zǐhán, wǒmen qù gōngyuán kàn yīnghuā ba.Zihan, let's go to the park to see the cherry blossoms.
- 梓涵 Zihan好啊，我也想看。Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng kàn.Okay, I want to see them too.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你觉得樱花现在开了吗？Nǐ juéde yīnghuā xiànzài kāi le ma?Do you think the cherry blossoms are blooming now?
- 梓涵 Zihan应该是已经开了。Yīnggāi shì yǐjīng kāi le.They should have bloomed already.
