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Kotomora

華

splendor, flower, petal, shine, luster, ostentatious, showy, gay, gorgeous

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • カ
  • ケ

Kun'yomi

  • はな

Nanori

  • わ

Meaning

華 centers on vivid, eye-catching beauty: a flower in full bloom, dazzling splendor, or something showy and gorgeous. The meanings extend naturally from that bright, flourishing center.

Most common words using 華

20 of 171
  • 華か

    flashiness; showiness; brilliance; splendor

  • 豪華ごうか
    N3

    extravagant; lavish; opulent; luxurious; magnificent; splendid; fancy; gorgeous

  • 中華ちゅうか

    China

  • 華麗かれい
    N1

    splendid; magnificent; gorgeous

  • 華やかはなやか
    N2

    bright and beautiful; gorgeous; showy; brilliant; splendid; gay; colorful; flowery

  • 繁華はんか

    bustle; prosperity

  • 昇華しょうか

    sublimation

  • 華奢かしゃ
    N1

    lavish; luxurious; showy; gaudy

  • 華奢きゃしゃ

    dainty; delicate; slender; slim and elegant

  • 中華人民共和国ちゅうかじんみんきょうわこく

    People's Republic of China

  • 万華鏡まんげきょう

    kaleidoscope

  • 冷やし中華ひやしちゅうか

    chilled Chinese noodles

  • 法華経ほけきょう

    Lotus Sutra

  • 華々しいはなばなしい
    N1

    brilliant; splendid; glorious; magnificent; spectacular

  • 中華民国ちゅうかみんこく

    Republic of China; ROC; Taiwan

  • 蓮華れんげ

    lotus flower

  • 華僑かきょう

    overseas Chinese

  • 栄華えいが

    prosperity; glory; splendour; splendor; majesty; luxury

  • 華道かどう

    flower arrangement; floral art; ikebana

  • 精華せいか

    essence; quintessence; flower; glory

Explore all words using 華 →

Study

Etymology

華 is a pictophonetic character. The top 艹 (grass/plant) suggests vegetation, while the lower part originally depicted a flower in bloom and also contributed the sound. Together they express a flourishing flower or splendor.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 艹 is a plant, and the elaborate lower part looks like a flower with petals unfolding. Picture a showy blossom opening up: 華 is a gorgeous, splendid flower.

Reading mnemonic

For カ, imagine a magnificent flower blooming in a car: car -> カ, and the flower's splendor fills the vehicle.