鲜花 (xiān huā) — fresh flowers; flowers (usually cut flowers) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

鲜花 specifically means freshly cut flowers (bought, given, or arranged) — not flowers in general or in the ground. Pairs naturally with 朵 (e.g. 几朵鲜花).

noun

fresh flowersflowers (usually cut flowers)

Measure word · 朵

Examples

鲜花。
Tā mǎi le yì xiē xiān huā.
He bought some fresh flowers.
鲜花。
Zhuō zi shàng yǒu jǐ duǒ xiān huā.
There are a few fresh flowers on the table.
鲜花。
Zhè xiē xiān huā dōu hěn piào liang.
These fresh flowers are all very pretty.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

鲜 means fresh, 花 means flower, so 鲜花 is fresh flowers.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 鮮; 鲜 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

魚魚yúfish

Sound part声符shēngfú

羴

羴shān鮮xiān

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 鮮 pairs 魚 (fish) with 羴, which gives the sound; this note is about 鮮, not 鲜.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

艹化花

Meaning part形符xíngfú

艹Written in full as艸cǎograss; plant

Sound part声符shēngfú

化

Same sound today

花 pairs 艹 (grass; plant) with 化, which gives the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 4 Plants & Flowers

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