Translation and Meaning of: 花 - hana
Etymology and Meaning of 「花」 (hana)
The word 「花」 (hana) means "flower" in Japanese. It is composed of two radicals: 艹 (kusa) which refers to "plant" or "grass," and 化 (ka), which carries the sense of "transformation." This combination symbolizes the natural transformation or development, which is characteristic of blooming. The kanji writing of 「花」 is used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as in expressions that symbolize beauty and ephemerality. The use of kanji simplifies the representation of complex concepts and activities related to nature, being not only practical but also poetic.
Uses and Contexts of the Word 「花」 (hana)
The word "花" (hana) is widely used in different contexts in the Japanese language. From descriptions of seasonal beauties, such as in hanami festivals (flower viewing), to poetic compositions symbolizing the brevity of life, the flower remains a powerful cultural symbol in Japan. This term often appears in names of specific flowers, such as "桜花" (ouka), which refers to cherry blossoms.
Cultural Origin and Symbolism
In Japan, flowers hold profound cultural significance, with festivals dedicated to observing and appreciating them. The Hanami festival, for example, celebrates the blooming of cherry blossoms in spring and is a moment for contemplation of beauty and the transient nature of life. Additionally, in Zen Buddhism, flowers are often associated with meditation and the ephemerality of the material world, reflecting the idea that everything is in constant change and transformation.
Furthermore, 「花」 (hana) has influenced the Japanese language in the use of idiomatic expressions. Expressions like 「花より団子」 (hana yori dango) — "rice dumplings instead of flowers" — reflect a preference for the practical over the aesthetic. This expression highlights how language can capture subtle critiques and social observations through metaphors involving flowers.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 華 (はな) - All right, flower.
- 花々 (はなばな) - Various flowers
- 花札 (はなふだ) - Japanese flower cards
- 花鳥風月 (かちょうふうげつ) - Beauty of nature with flowers, birds, wind, and moon
- 花束 (はなたば) - Bouquet of flowers
- 花火 (はなび) - Fireworks
- 花嫁 (はなよめ) - bride
- 花粉 (かふん) - Flower pollen
- 花瓶 (かびん) - Flower vase
- 花園 (はなぞの) - Flower garden
- 花梨 (かりん) - Flor de quinquna
- 花緒 (はなお) - Flower shortcuts (also a part of Japanese sandals)
- 花筏 (はないかだ) - Flower on the water
- 花魁 (おいらん) - Courtesan, often associated with flowers in Japanese culture.
- 花鳥 (かちょう) - Birds and flowers
- 花魂 (かこん) - Spirit of the flowers
Romaji: hana
Kana: はな
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: flower
Meaning in English: flower
Definition: A type of plant that produces beautiful flowers.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (花) hana
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (花) hana:
Example Sentences - (花) hana
See below some example sentences:
Annani utsukushii hana ga saite iru
So beautiful flowers are blooming.
Such beautiful flowers are blooming.
- あんなに - word in Japanese that means "so"
- 美しい - Japanese adjective meaning "beautiful"
- 花 - noun in Japanese that means "flower"
- が - Particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 咲いている - verb in Japanese that means "to bloom" in the present continuous
Kono hana wa totemo yoi kaori ga niou
This flower has a very pleasant smell.
This flower smells very well.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
- 花 - noun meaning "flower"
- は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "this flower"
- とても - adverb meaning "very"
- 良い - adjective meaning "good"
- 香り - noun meaning "fragrance" or "smell"
- が - subject particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "the smell"
- 匂う - verb meaning "to smell"
Kono jiki wa kafunshou ga hidoi desu
This time
Right now, hay fever is terrible.
- この時期 - current period
- は - Topic particle
- 花粉症 - pollen allergy
- が - subject particle
- ひどい - severe, intense
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Hitotsu no hana ga saita
A kind of flower bloomed.
- 一種の - "a type of"
- 花 - "flower"
- が - subject particle
- 咲いた - "bloomed"
Kokonotsu no hana ga saite imasu
Nine flowers are blooming.
- 九つ (Kyūtsu) - means "nine" in Japanese
- の (no) - Possession particle in Japanese
- 花 (hana) - means "flowers" in Japanese
- が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese.
- 咲いています (saiteimasu) - means "are blooming" in Japanese
Yattsu no hana ga saita
Eight flowers flourished.
- 八つ (yattsu) - Eight
- の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
- 花 (hana) - flower
- が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 咲いた (saita) - bloomed
Kawaīrashī hana desu ne
What a lovely flower.
It is a beautiful flower.
- 可愛らしい - Adjective meaning "adorable" or "cute"
- 花 - noun meaning "flower"
- です - Verb "to be" in polite form
- ね - ending particle that can indicate a rhetorical question or a confirmation
Tokonoma ni wa kabin ga okarete imasu
A vase is placed between the floors.
- 床の間 - traditional Japanese alcove, usually located in a tatami room and used to display art or decorative objects
- には - Japanese particle indicating the location of something
- 花瓶 - vase of flowers
- が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 置かれています - Japanese verb meaning "placed" or "positioned"
Masatsu ga okoru to hibana ga tobi chiru
when friction occurs
When friction occurs, sparks sputter.
- 摩擦 (māsatsu) - friction
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 起こる (okoru) - to happen, to occur
- と (to) - conditional conjunction
- 火花 (hibana) - spark
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 飛び散る (tobichiru) - spread, disperse
Ikebana wa utsukushii geijutsu desu
Fresh flowers are beautiful art.
- 生け花 - Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangements
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- 芸術 - art
- です - is
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
