Meaning

Primary

Viewing Cherry Blossoms

Alternatives

Sakura Viewing, Cherry Blossom Viewing

Word Type

noun

Explanation

When you have flowers that you can see, you are viewing flowers. But not just any flowers. What flowers do Japanese people love viewing? That's right, this word refers to viewing cherry blossoms.

The focus of 花見 is on the act of appreciating blossoming trees, often accompanied by outdoor gatherings, picnics, or parties. Although cherry blossoms are the most commonly associated flowers, the term can encompass other flower-viewing experiences as well.

Reading

はなみ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading for this vocab is all kun'yomi, but you learned the kun'yomi readings of both these when you learned their kanji. So no worries there. You can spend the extra time viewing the cherry blossoms.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • お花見パーティー

    a cherry blossom viewing party

    お花見する

    to go cherry blossom viewing

    お花見シーズン

    cherry blossom viewing season

Context Sentences

四月一日、花見しましょう。

Let's do cherry blossom viewing on April 1st.

木の下で花見をしながらビールを口にした。

I had some beer while viewing the cherry blossoms under the tree.

花見シーズンには、この町にたくさんの人が来ます。

Many people come to this town during cherry blossom season.

Kanji Composition