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:

私は花を嗅いでいると幸せな気分になります。

Watashi wa hana o kagu to shiawase na kibun ni narimasu

When smelling flowers

I feel happy when I smell the flowers.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 花 (hana) - Japanese noun meaning "flower"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 嗅いでいる (kaideiru) - Japanese verb meaning "to smell" in the present continuous tense
• と (to) - Japanese particle indicating the consequence or result of the previous action
• 幸せな (shiawasena) - Japanese adjective meaning "happy"
• 気分 (kibun) - Japanese noun meaning "state of mind"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle indicating the direction or target of the action
• なります (narimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to become" in the formal present tense

私は庭に花を蒔きました。

Watashi wa niwa ni hana o makimashita

I planted flowers in the garden.

I sown flowers in the garden.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 庭 (niwa) - noun that means "garden"
• に (ni) - locative particle that indicates where the action occurred
• 花 (hana) - noun meaning "flower"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 蒔きました (makimashita) - verb that means "I planted"

私は庭に花の種を散蒔きました。

Watashi wa niwa ni hana no tane wo chiramikimashita

I scattered flower seeds in the garden.

I sowed flowers in the garden.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 庭 - noun that means "garden"
• に - locative particle that indicates where something happened
• 花 - noun that means "flowers"
• の - possessive particle that indicates that the flowers belong to the garden
• 種 - noun that means "seeds"
• を - object particle that indicates that the seeds have been scattered
• 散蒔きました - verb that means "to scatter seeds"

種々の花が咲いている。

Tane tane no hana ga saite iru

Several flowers are flourishing.

• 種々 - variedade
• の - Possession particle
• 花 - flower
• が - subject particle
• 咲いている - It's blooming

美しい花が咲いています。

Utsukushii hana ga saite imasu

Beautiful flowers are blooming.

• 美しい - belo, bonito
• 花 - flower
• が - subject particle
• 咲いています - It's blooming

花びらが舞い落ちる季節が好きです。

Hanabira ga mai ochiru kisetsu ga suki desu

I like the season when the flower petals fall.

I like the season when the petals fall.

• 花びら - flower petals
• が - subject particle
• 舞い落ちる - falling, dancing, floating
• 季節 - Estação do Ano
• が - subject particle
• 好きです - gostar, apreciar

花がたくさん植わる庭が好きです。

Hana ga takusan uwabaru niwa ga suki desu

I like gardens with many planted flowers.

I like the garden where many flowers are planted.

• 花 (hana) - means "flower" in Japanese
• が (ga) - subject particle
• たくさん (takusan) - means "very" or "many"
• 植わる (uwawaru) - means "to be planted" or "to be cultivated"
• 庭 (niwa) - means "garden" or "courtyard"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 好き (suki) - means "like" or "love" in Japanese
• です (desu) - Polite form of "to be" or "to stay"

花を撒くと春が来る。

Hana wo maku to haru ga kuru

Spring comes when you sprinkle flowers.

• 花 (hana) - Flor
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 撒く (maku) - Espalhar
• と (to) - Conjunction particle
• 春 (haru) - Primavera
• が (ga) - Subject particle
• 来る (kuru) - Chegar

蓮は美しい花です。

Ren wa utsukushii hana desu

Lotus is a beautiful flower.

Lotus is a beautiful flower.

• 蓮 - Lótus
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - Bonito
• 花 - Flor
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)