梅花

• Pinyin: méi huā
• Hanzi breakdown: 梅 = 木 (wood/tree) + 每 (phonetic), plum tree; 花 = 艹 (grass) + 化, flower

Meaning

Plum blossom; wintersweet flower. A flower that blooms in winter, symbolizing resilience.

One of the 'Four Gentlemen' (四君子) in Chinese art alongside orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. Blooms in harsh winter, symbolizing perseverance, purity, and hope. The national flower of Taiwan. Common in poetry, painting, and names. 梅花 also refers to the club suit in playing cards.

Examples

1. 寒冬腊月，院子里的梅花开得正艳，香气扑鼻。 In the depths of winter, the plum blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom, their fragrance filling the air.
2. 古人常以梅花自比，赞美它不畏严寒的品格。 Ancient poets often compared themselves to plum blossoms, praising their character of not fearing the cold.
3. 这幅水墨画上的梅花寥寥几笔，却神韵十足。 The plum blossoms in this ink painting are rendered with just a few strokes, yet they're full of spirit.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, art, poetry, culture

Tone: appreciative

Do Say

• 梅花在冬天开放。(Plum blossoms bloom in winter.)
• 我很欣赏梅花的品格。(I admire the character of the plum blossom.)

Don't Say

• 把梅花和樱花混淆 (梅花 blooms in winter with 5 petals; 樱花 blooms in spring with notched petals)

Origin & History

Compound of 梅 (plum) + 花 (flower). The plum tree's blossom, celebrated for flowering in winter.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal