桜
sakura[sa̠kɯ̟ɾa̠]
The Japanese phrase for cherry blossom is 桜 (sakura).
The word 桜 refers specifically to the blossom of the Japanese cherry tree or to the cherry tree itself. It can also be used to create the color name 桜色 (sakura-iro), which means cherry blossom pink.
Meaning: blossom of the Japanese cherry tree (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
sakura
When do people say it?
The custom of viewing the blossoms is known as お花見 (hanami).
Did you know?
- In modern Japanese slang, sakura refers to a 'shill' or a fake customer hired to cheer for a performer to make them seem popular.
- In Japanese culture, the short blooming period of sakura is a powerful metaphor for the 'mono no aware' concept, or the pathos of things.
- The word 桜 is thought to have originated from the verb 咲く (saku), meaning 'to bloom', combined with a suffix that turned the action into a noun.
Examples in context
- 桜さんは賢い学生だ。Sakura is a smart student.This sentence uses 桜 as a proper name.Tatoeba #11104630 by sakifan, translation #11160272 by DJ_Saidez
- 「ちょっくらデートしてくるねー」「７時には帰ってきなさいよ、桜」"I'm just popping out on a date, OK?" "Come home by 7, Sakura!"Tatoeba #74779 by fcbond, translation #328941 by fcbond
Example conversation
A couple walks through a park during spring.
- 大翔 Hiroto桜がとても綺麗だね。Sakura ga totemo kirei dane.The cherry blossoms are very beautiful, aren't they?
- 結衣 Yui本当、満開だよ！Hontou, mankai dayo!Truly, they are in full bloom!
- 大翔 Hiroto写真を撮ってもいいかな？Shashin o totte mo ii kana?Is it okay if I take a photo?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、ぜひ撮って。Un, zehi totte.Yes, please do.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sakura” translations and entries 桜, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 桜, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
