How to say "flower" in Japanese

• 花はなJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounThe general word for a flower in the literal sense: a blossom or bloom on a plant, whether in a garden, a vase, or on a tree; it can also refer to a petal.
  私わたしたちは梅うめの花はなで有名ゆうめいな水戸みと公園こうえんを見みに行いった。↗

  We visited Mito Park, which is famous for its plum blossoms.
• 咲くさくJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbA verb, so this is the match when English uses 'flower' as a verb: to bloom, blossom, or open, as flowers do in spring; it does not serve for the noun 'flower'.
  これらの花はなは春はるに咲さく。↗

  These flowers bloom in spring.
• 草花くさばなCommon
  nounCovers flowers viewed as plants rather than as single blooms: flowering plants in general, the kind of thing grown in a garden or discussed collectively when talking about flowers.
  草花くさばなについてもっと知しりたいと思おもいました。↗

  He wanted to know more about the flowers.
• 精華せいかCommon
  nounThe figurative 'flower' of something: its essence, quintessence, or glory — the finest part. It is seldom the word for an actual flower; that is really 花's territory.

Use 花 for flowers as things, 「咲く」 when 'flower' is a verb, 草花 for flowers viewed as plants, and 精華 only for the figurative 'flower' meaning the finest part or glory of something.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 花はなflower
• 咲くさくto bloom
• 草花くさばなflower
• 精華せいかessence
• フラワーflower
• 花開くはなひらくto blossom
• 花きかきflowering plant
• お花おはなflower