Refers to the orchid flower or plant. Often written in katakana in botanical or decorative contexts.
I gave an orchid for Mother's Day.
Abbreviation of 阿蘭陀 (オランダ). Used mainly in compounds such as 蘭学 (Dutch learning) or 日蘭 (Japan-Netherlands). Rare as a standalone word for the country.
See also: オランダ
My grandmother grows orchids in her garden.
The character 蘭 is used as an abbreviation for the Netherlands in words like 蘭学 (Dutch learning) and 日蘭 (Japan-Netherlands relations).
A rare orchid bloomed in the greenhouse.
欄 (also read らん) means a column or railing, while 蘭 refers to the orchid flower or is an abbreviation for the Netherlands; the kanji look similar but are unrelated in meaning.
ラン (a run, from English) and 蘭 (らん, orchid) are pronounced identically but have completely unrelated meanings.
乱 (revolt, war) and 蘭 (orchid) are pronounced identically as らん but are completely unrelated in meaning and written with different kanji.
book; volume; script · this; present; current; in question · main; head; principal · real; genuine; regular; proper · counter for long cylindrical objects; counter for films, TV shows, etc.; counter for goals, home runs, etc.; counter for telephone calls
lily of the valley
cast iron plant; Aspidistra elatior · baran; green plastic garnish
agave; maguey · century plant; American aloe
rangaku; Dutch learning
castor oil plant
noble orchid; Cymbidium goeringii
fireweed; rosebay willowherb
Japanese stream orchid
Eleorchis japonica (species of orchid)
Western orchid; tropical orchid
Standard kanji spelling for orchid and the abbreviation for the Netherlands.
Katakana spelling is common in botanical contexts and when referring to the Netherlands in abbreviations.
The kanji 蘭 originally refers to the orchid plant. Its use for the Netherlands comes from the ateji 阿蘭陀 (オランダ), where 蘭 was taken as the abbreviation.
Linaria japonica; Japanese toadflax
Yucca smalliana; Adam's needle
Bletilla striata; purple orchid