one flower; a single flower
Literal meaning: exactly one flower, often used in counting or describing a single bloom.
花瓶に一花だけ活けてある。
There is just one flower arranged in the vase.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Figurative use, often in the phrase 一花咲かせる (to achieve a brief success or enjoy a moment of glory). Implies a single, notable achievement or flourishing period.
彼は若い頃に一花咲かせた。
He had his moment of glory when he was young.
定年後に一花咲かせたいと思っている。
I want to achieve something notable after retirement.
Standard kanji spelling for both literal and figurative senses.
Kana spelling is acceptable, especially in casual writing or when avoiding kanji.
Compound of 一 (one) and 花 (flower). The figurative sense likely derives from the image of a single flower blooming, symbolizing a brief but notable success.