菊花

• Pinyin: jú huā
• Hanzi breakdown: 菊 = 艹 + 匊 (chrysanthemum); 花 = 艹 + 化 (flower)

Meaning

Chrysanthemum. A flowering plant deeply associated with autumn, longevity, and nobility in Chinese culture.

One of the four classical plants of Chinese literati culture alongside plum blossom, orchid, and bamboo. Symbolises perseverance and nobility. Widely used in poetry, traditional medicine, and herbal tea.

Examples

1. 秋天的菊花开得格外灿烂，吸引了许多游客前来赏花。 In autumn, the chrysanthemums bloom especially brilliantly, drawing many tourists to come admire the flowers.
2. 她泡了一壶菊花茶，边品茗边欣赏窗外的秋日风景。 She brewed a pot of chrysanthemum tea and sipped it while enjoying the autumn scenery outside the window.
3. 诗人以菊花自比，寄托了不畏霜寒、傲然独立的高洁情怀。 The poet compared himself to a chrysanthemum, expressing a noble spirit of standing proud and independent, unafraid of frost and cold.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, culture, tea, poetry

Tone: poetic

Do Say

• 重阳节前后，公园里的菊花竞相绽放，美不胜收。(Around the Double Ninth Festival, chrysanthemums in the park bloom in spectacular competition.)
• 菊花茶具有清热明目的功效，深受中老年人的喜爱。(Chrysanthemum tea has the effect of clearing heat and brightening the eyes, and is well-loved by middle-aged and elderly people.)

Don't Say

• 我种了很多菊花花 — 菊花 already means chrysanthemum flower; adding 花 again is redundant

Origin & History

菊 = chrysanthemum plant; 花 = flower

Cultural Context

Era: 古代至今

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal