桜さくら散ちる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

fail an exam

Idiomatic expression used especially for university entrance exam results. Derived from the traditional telegram notification where '桜咲く' meant passing and '桜散る' meant failing.

See also: 桜咲く

• 第だい一いち志し望ぼうの大だい学がくは、残ざん念ねんながら桜さくら散ちる結けっ果かとなった。

  Unfortunately, he failed the exam for his first-choice university.

• 合ごう格かく発はっ表ぴょうの日ひ、桜さくら散ちるの知しらせを受うけ取とった。

  On the day of the announcement, I received the news that I had failed.

expression, godan verb (-ru)

cherry blossom petals fall

Literal meaning: cherry blossoms scatter. Used in poetic or descriptive contexts.

• 風かぜが吹ふくと、桜さくら散ちる景色けしきが美うつくしい。

  When the wind blows, the sight of cherry blossoms falling is beautiful.