桜の木
sakura no ki
The English phrase sakura tree is expressed in Japanese as 桜の木 (sakura no ki).
The phrase 桜の木 refers specifically to the physical cherry blossom tree. However, when Japanese speakers discuss the blossoms themselves or the seasonal phenomenon of the flowering season, they often simply use the word 桜.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 桜 (sakura, cherry blossom), the particle の (no, possessive particle) and 木 (ki, tree).
Which one should you use?
While 桜の木 focuses on the physical tree, the shorter form 桜 is more common when talking about the flowers. If you want to describe something that resembles a sakura tree in an informal way, you can use 桜の木っぽい.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle の is used to link the noun 桜 to the noun 木 to indicate that the tree is a cherry blossom tree.
How do you pronounce it?
sakura no ki
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 桜 is often associated with the concept of 'mono no aware', a bittersweet awareness of the impermanence of all things. This is because the blossoms are prized specifically for how quickly they fall.
- While 桜の木 refers to the tree, the term 花見 (hanami) describes the custom of picnicking under them. This literally means 'flower viewing' and is a national social event where people gather for food and drinks.
- The term 桜色 (sakura-iro) is a recognized color name in Japanese. It refers specifically to the pale pink hue of the cherry blossom, acting as a shorthand for that exact shade in fashion and design.
Examples in context
- 桜の木が咲くThe cherry tree blooms.
- 私の近所には美しい桜の木がありますIn my neighborhood, there is a beautiful cherry blossom tree.
- あの桜の木はとても美しいです。Ano sakura no ki wa totemo utsukushii desu.That sakura tree is very beautiful.
- 庭に桜の木を植えました。Niwa ni sakura no ki o uemashita.I planted a sakura tree in the garden.
- 桜の木の下で休みましょう。Sakura no ki no shita de yasumimashou.Let's rest under the sakura tree.
Example conversation
The two friends are walking in a park during spring.
- 結衣 Yuiあそこに大きな桜の木がありますね。Asoko ni ookina sakura no ki ga arimasu ne.There is a large sakura tree over there, isn't there?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当ですね。とても綺麗です。Hontou desu ne. Totemo kirei desu.You're right. It is very pretty.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さん、あそこの下へ行きませんか？Hiroto-san, asoko no shita e ikimasen ka?Hiroto, shall we go under there?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですね。行きましょう。Ii desu ne. Ikimashou.That sounds good. Let's go.
