咲 (xiào) - to bloom, to smile, to laugh (archaic/literary usage)

咲Tone 4

xiào ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

想信

咲 · xiào

to bloom, to smile, to laugh (archaic/literary usage)

to bloom, to smile, to laugh (archaic/literary usage)

Usage highlights

to bloomcherry blossoms bloomingsmile bloomingflower bloomingblooming seasonfull bloom

Synonyms

  • 开— to open, to bloom
  • 放— to release, to bloom
  • 笑— to smile, to laugh

Antonyms

  • 谢— to wither, to fade
  • 枯— to wither, to dry up

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The cherry blossoms are blooming (桜が咲く).
  • She smiled faintly (彼女はほほえみ咲かせた).
  • Flowers bloom in spring (春に花が咲く).
  • A smile bloomed on her face (彼女の顔に笑みが咲いた).

Collocations

  • to bloom(咲く)
  • cherry blossoms blooming(桜咲く)
  • smile blooming(笑み咲く)
  • flower blooming(花咲く)
  • blooming season(咲き時)
  • full bloom(満咲)

Idioms

  • Flowers of rhetoric bloom(妙語咲く)
  • The flower of happiness blooms(幸せの花が咲く)
  • Bloom where you are planted(其処に咲け)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Commonly used in Japanese names and poetry, though originally a Chinese character.
  • In Japanese, primarily means 'to bloom' and is used in many flower-related expressions.
  • In classical Chinese, could mean 'to smile' or 'to laugh', though this usage is now rare.

FAQ