Hanataba is the Japanese word for ‘bouquet’, explained

What does “hanataba” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers use hanataba to mean a ‘bouquet’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese movies, songs, novels, manga, anime, and the like. In this blog post, however, I’m explaining this word in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I’m explaining how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners understand hanataba more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meaning of “hanataba”
• Hanataba in kanji
  • How to say “bouquet” in Japanese
  • Another example of “hanataba”
• Summary

Definition and meaning of “hanataba”

Let me start with the definition and meaning of hanataba.

• hanataba – 花束 (はなたば) : a noun used to mean a ‘bouquet’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.

The definition and meaning are simple and clear. To understand this noun more clearly, however, let me explain its kanji characters in detail, one by one.

Hanataba in kanji

The kanji expression of hanataba consists of the following two kanji characters:

• 花 : a kanji character widely used to mean a ‘flower’ in Japanese.
• 束 : a kanji character sometimes used to mean a ‘bunch’ in Japanese.

From these two kanji characters, we can understand that hanataba literally means a ‘flower bunch’ in Japanese. This literal interpretation is very close to the actual meaning. A bouquet is obviously a bunch of flowers.

When we meet new kanji expressions, we should check their kanji characters in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, kanji characters tell us a lot about the meanings of the expressions they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of hanataba through the detailed kanji check above.

So far, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of hanataba together with its kanji characters. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentences below.

How to say “bouquet” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun used to mean ‘she’ in Japanese.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after kanojo to make the subject in the sentence.
• kono – この : a determiner used before a noun which refers to something close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before mise to mean ‘this shop’ in Japanese.
• mise – 店 (みせ) : a noun used to mean a ‘shop’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
• de – で : a case particle used to say where someone does something. In the example, this is used after kono mise to say where she bought the bouquet.
• wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after hanataba to make the object in the sentence.
• kat – 買っ (かっ) : one conjugation of the verb, kau, which means ‘to buy’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. In the example, this is used after kat to make its past tense form, kat ta, which means ‘bought’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of hanataba. In this example, it works together with the case particle, wo, to become the object in the sentence.

Another example of “hanataba”

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• sono – その : a determiner used before a noun which refers to something not close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before hanataba to mean ‘that bouquet’ in Japanese.
• kawaikat – 可愛かっ (かわいかっ) : one conjugation of the i-adjective, kawaii, which means ‘cute’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.

This is another example of hanataba. In this example, it works together with the determiner, sono, to mean ‘that bouquet’ in Japanese. When we want to mean a ‘bouquet’ or ‘bouquets’ in Japanese, anyway, this noun is always a very good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of hanataba in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I’ve explained how to use it through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• hanataba – 花束 (はなたば) : a noun used to mean a ‘bouquet’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. These two kanji characters literally mean a ‘flower bunch’ in Japanese. This literal interpretation is very close to the actual meaning. A bouquet is obviously a bunch of flowers.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.