Translation and Meaning of: 鼻 - hana

The Japanese word 「鼻」 (hana) is used to refer to the nose, one of the most prominent facial features of humans and animals. The etymology of the kanji 「鼻」 is fascinating, as it is composed of two main radicals: 「自」 (meaning "oneself" or "self") and 「畀」 (which conveys the idea of "giving" or "blowing"), reflecting the function of the nose as an essential part that aids in breathing and self-awareness through smell. The structure of the kanji exemplifies the interconnection between biological function and self-perception.

In addition to the basic use referring to the organ itself, 「鼻」 has variations and can be found in various idiomatic and compound expressions. For example, the compound word 「鼻血」 (hanaji) means "nosebleed" and is used to describe a quite common occurrence, especially in children. Another popular expression is 「鼻が高い」 (hana ga takai), which means to be "proud" or "to be conceited," an expression that dates back to the idea of someone lifting their nose in pride.

The term 「鼻」 is a great example of how the Japanese language can incorporate direct cultural and functional meaning into its language. Historically, the nose has been associated not only with physiology but also with psychology, as a reflection of human emotions. The study of the word 「鼻」 and its variations demonstrates how the Japanese language often interconnects with cultural and social perceptions, providing a deeper understanding of the interaction between language, culture, and biology.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 鼻孔 (bikou) - Nostril opening (nares)
• 鼻腔 (bikou) - Nasal cavity
• 鼻先 (hasaki) - Nose tip
• 鼻の穴 (hana no ana) - Nasal opening
• 鼻の先 (hana no saki) - Nose tip
• 鼻の下 (hana no shita) - Part below the nose
• 鼻の奥 (hana no oku) - Inner part of the nose
• 鼻の頭 (hana no atama) - Nose tip
• 鼻の先端 (hana no sentan) - Sharp tip of the nose
• 鼻の中 (hana no naka) - Interior of the nose
• 鼻の外 (hana no soto) - Nose exterior
• 鼻の周り (hana no mawari) - Around the nose
• 鼻の形 (hana no katachi) - Shape of the nose
• 鼻の高さ (hana no takasa) - Nose height
• 鼻の位置 (hana no ichi) - Nose position
• 鼻の大きさ (hana no ookisa) - Nose size
• 鼻の形状 (hana no keijou) - Structure of the nose
• 鼻の構造 (hana no kouzou) - Nose construction
• 鼻の機能 (hana no kinou) - Function of the nose
• 鼻の感覚 (hana no kankaku) - Sense of smell
• 鼻の匂い (hana no nioi) - Smell that the nose detects
• 鼻の粘膜 (hana no nemaku) - Nasal mucosa
• 鼻の血管 (hana no ketsukan) - Nasal vasculature
• 鼻の骨 (hana no hone) - Nasal bone
• 鼻の皮膚 (hana no hifu) - Nose fur
• 鼻の痛み (hana no itami) - Pain in the nose
• 鼻のかゆみ (hana no kayumi) - Itching in the nose

鼻

Romaji: hana
Kana: はな
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: nose

Meaning in English: nose

Definition: Organ located in the center of the face used for breathing and smelling.

Example Sentences - (鼻) hana

See below some example sentences:

私の鼻は大きいです。

Watashi no hana wa ookii desu

My nose is big.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that "鼻" (hana) is "mine"
• 鼻 (hana) - noun that means "nose"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates that "鼻" is the topic of the sentence
• 大きい (ookii) - adjetivo que significa "grande"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the existence or state of something, in this case, "is"