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) - Noiva
• 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

花

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.

Example Sentences - (花) hana

See below some example sentences:

風に舞う花びらが美しいです。

Kaze ni mau hanabira ga utsukushii desu

The petals dancing in the wind are beautiful.

The petals dancing in the wind are beautiful.

• 風に舞う - meaning "dancing in the wind", is an expression that describes the action of flower petals being carried by the wind.
• 花びら - means "flower petals".
• が - is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "flower petals".
• 美しい - means "beautiful".
• です - is a grammatical particle that indicates the end of a sentence and is also used to indicate respect or formality.

赤い花がきれいです。

Akai hana ga kirei desu

The red flowers are beautiful.

The red flowers are beautiful.

• 赤い - adjective that means "red"
• 花 - noun meaning "flower"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• きれい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - verb that indicates the polite and courteous way of affirming something

蕾は美しい花の始まりです。

Tsubomi wa utsukushii hana no hajimari desu

The flower starts with a beautiful bud.

Buds are the beginning of beautiful flowers.

• 蕾 - means "bud" in Japanese.
• は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 美しい - Japanese adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful".
• 花 - Japanese noun meaning "flower".
• の - Japanese grammatical particle indicating possession or relationship.
• 始まり - Japanese noun meaning "beginning" or "start".
• です - Japanese verb indicating "to be" or "to be" (polite form).

花は美しいです。

Hana wa utsukushii desu

The flowers are beautiful.

The flowers are beautiful.

• 花 - means "flower" in Japanese
• は - it is a grammatical particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Japanese
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "are" in Japanese

花が咲く。

Hana ga saku

The flowers are blooming.

Flowers bloom.

• 花 - It means "flower"
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 咲く - verb that means "to bloom"

花びらが散る。

Hanabira ga chiru

Flower petals fall.

Pedos are scattered.

• 花びら - flower petals
• が - subject particle
• 散る - fall, spread

花壇には美しい花が咲いています。

Kadan ni wa utsukushii hana ga saite imasu

Beautiful flowers are blooming in the flowerbed.

Beautiful flowers are blooming in the flowerbed.

• 花壇 (かだん) - means "flower bed".
• に - particle indicating the location of the action, in this case, "in the flower bed".
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the flower bed".
• 美しい (うつくしい) - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• 花 (はな) - noun meaning "flower".
• が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the flowers".
• 咲いています (さいています) - verb meaning "they are blooming".

花嫁は美しいです。

Hanayome wa utsukushii desu

The bride is beautiful.

The bride is beautiful.

• 花嫁 (hanayome) - noiva
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美しい (utsukushii) - bonita
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

花粉症が辛いです。

Kafunshou ga tsurai desu

Alergia ao pólen é difícil.

A febre do feno é picante.

• 花粉症 (かふんしょう) - alergia ao pólen
• が - subject particle
• 辛い (からい) - doloroso, difícil, amargo
• です - verb to be in the polite form

私は庭に花を植える。

Watashi wa niwa ni hana wo ueru

I plant flowers in the garden.

I plant flowers in the garden.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 庭 (niwa) - Japanese noun meaning "garden"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle that indicates the location of an action.
• 花 (hana) - Japanese noun meaning "flower"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 植える (ueru) - Japanese verb that means "to plant"