Japanese kanji for flower: 花 — writing and readings
The Japanese kanji for flower is 花, 7 strokes. It is read 'hana' (kun'yomi はな) and 'ka' (on'yomi カ). 'Flower in Japanese' is 花 (hana). At the top of the character is the radical 'grass' ⺾, so it is easy to recognize among plants: 草 (grass), 茶 (tea), 苦 (bitter).
In Japanese, 花 without further specification often means sakura: when people say 花見 — 'viewing flowers', no one specifies which flowers. That's how cultural convention works: one flower is so important that it took the general word for itself.
How to write the Japanese kanji for flower
- Meaning
- flower
- Onyomi
- カ、ケ
- Kunyomi
- はな
- strokes
- 7
7 strokes. Click 'Show order' — first the 'grass' radical ⺾, then 化.
The 'grass' radical on top
Two short verticals with a horizontal on top is ⺾, the compressed form of 艸 'grass'. It stands above hundreds of characters about plants: 草 (grass), 葉 (leaf), 茶 (tea), 薬 (medicine — once herbal). If you see it, the word is almost certainly about something growing.
Words with the flower kanji
| Japanese | Reading | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 花はな | hana | Flower |
| 花見はなみ | hanami | Cherry blossom viewing |
| 花火はなび | hanabi | Fireworks — 'flowers of fire' |
| 花屋はなや | hanaya | Flower shop |
| 生け花いけばな | ikebana | The art of flower arrangementliterally 'bringing flowers to life' |
| 花嫁はなよめ | hanayome | Bride'flower-bride' |
| 花言葉はなことば | hanakotoba | Language of flowers |
Hanakotoba — the language of flowers
花言葉 is a Japanese system of flower meanings, similar to the European one, but with its own nuances: red camellia — 'restrained magnificence', white chrysanthemum — 'truth', and potted plants are not given in hospitals because 'taking root' sounds like a wish to stay in bed.
Write 花 yourself
FAQ
How is 花 read — hana or ka?
花 — 7 strokes. Kun'yomi はな (hana), on'yomi カ (ka): 花瓶 (kabin) 'vase', 開花 (kaika) 'blooming'.
How do you say 'flower' in Japanese?
花 (hana). The same word appears in 花火 (hanabi) 'fireworks' and 花見 (hanami) 'flower viewing'.
What is the element on top of 花?
The radical ⺾ 'grass'. It indicates that the character is related to plants: 草 grass, 葉 leaf, 茶 tea, 薬 medicine.
How is the word 'ikebana' related?
生け花 consists of 生ける 'to bring to life' and 花 'flower': the art of arranging flowers so that the composition looks alive.
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