noun
cherry tree; cherry blossom; sakura
Refers to the tree, its blossoms, or the flower itself. Culturally significant in Japan.
春になると、桜が満開になる。
In spring, the cherry blossoms come into full bloom.
公園の桜の木の下
We had a cherry-blossom viewing party under the cherry trees in the park.
noun
light pink; cherry-blossom pink
Abbreviation of 桜色; used for the pale pink color of cherry blossoms.
See also: 桜色
彼女は桜の着物を着ていた。
She wore a light-pink kimono.
noun
shill; fake buyer; paid audience; seat filler
A person hired to pretend to be a customer, applaud, or fill seats. Usually written in katakana as サクラ. Covers both fake buyers and hired applauders.
あの店の行列にはサクラが並んでいるらしい。
Apparently there are shills lining up in front of that shop.
テレビ番組の観客にサクラが混ざっていた。
There were paid audience members mixed in with the TV show's audience.
noun
Euphemistic term for horse meat, usually in compounds like 桜肉 (さくらにく) or 桜鍋 (さくらなべ).
桜肉は馬肉の別名で、桜鍋などに使われる。
Sakura-niku is another name for horse meat, used in dishes like sakura-nabe.