Proverbial Flower

Related Resources • Audio Phrasebook • Relationship with Nature: Cherry Blossom • Proverbial Fish

There are quite a few Japanese proverbs including flowers. Flower is "hana" in Japanese. Although "hana" also means "nose," its context should not cause much confusion. Different characters are used when writing them in kanji. Click here to learn the kanji character for flowers.

Here are some expressions including the word flowers.

Iwanu ga hana　言わぬが花

Literally translated as "Not speaking is the flower." It means, "Some things are better left unsaid; Silence is golden."

Takane no hana　高嶺の花

Literally translated as "Flower on a high peak." It means, "something out of one's reach." Some things are beautiful to look at, but realistically, there is no way you can get them. The objects might be something that you want very much but can't have them.

Hana ni arashi　花に嵐

There is a famous Japanese saying, "Tsuki ni muragumo, hana ni arashi (Clouds over the moon, a storm over blossoms)." This idiom is a shortened version. It means that life often brings misfortune at the time of great happiness.

Hana yori dango　花より団子

Literally translated as "Dumplings rather than flowers." It means that the practical is preferred over the aesthetic. In spring, Japanese traditionally go to the countryside or parks for flower viewing (hanami). However, they often seem to be more interested in eating foods or drinking alcohol than appreciating the beauty of the flowers. It shows a part of human nature.

Tonari no hana wa akai　隣の花は赤い

Literally translated as "The neighbor's flowers are red." It means that the grass is always greener on the other side. There is also another saying, "Tonari no shibafu wa aoi (The neighbor's lawn is green)."

Other Idioms

Flower Vocabulary

Click here to read the article "Relationships with Nature: Cherry Blossom."

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