華

See also: 华 and 崋

華	U+83EF, 華 CJK UNIFIED IDEOGRAPH-83EF

← 菮
[U+83EE]

CJK Unified Ideographs

菰 →
[U+83F0]

華	U+FAB4, 華 CJK COMPATIBILITY IDEOGRAPH-FAB4

← 荒
[U+FAB3]

CJK Compatibility Ideographs

蝹 →
[U+FAB5]

Translingual

Han character

華 (Kangxi radical 140, 艸+8 in traditional Chinese, 艸+7 in mainland China and Japanese, 12 strokes in Chinese in traditional Chinese, 10 strokes in mainland China and Japanese, 11 strokes in Korean, cangjie input 廿一廿十 (TMTJ), four-corner 4450₄, composition ⿱艹⿻丅⿱艹二)

Derived characters

𠎑, 嘩(哗), 墷, 嬅(𫰡), 㠏(㟆), 𭘲, 㦊(𫺆), 撶(𫼧), 澕, 璍, 曄(晔), 𦠜, 樺(桦), 燁(烨), 皣, 瞱(𬑓), 𬒢, 䅿, 𬚦, 𧑍, 㒯, 譁, 𨅯, 鏵(铧), 鞾(𫖇), 韡(𮧵), 驊(骅), 𩻮(𫚘), 𫛓, 𪟥, 鷨(𪉊), 𡪤, 曅, 𨶱

Related characters

华 (Simplified Chinese)

References

KangXi: page 1039, character 14
Dai Kanwa Jiten: character 31119
Dae Jaweon: page 1497, character 12
Hanyu Da Zidian (first edition): volume 5, page 3213, character 1
Unihan data for U+83EF
Unihan data for U+FAB4

Chinese

trad.		華
simp.		华
alternative forms		𠌶𦻏蕐䔢𦾓

Glyph origin

Historical forms of the character 華
Western Zhou	Shuowen Jiezi (compiled in Han)	Liushutong (compiled in Ming)
Bronze inscriptions	Small seal script	Transcribed ancient scripts

Characters in the same phonetic series (華) (Zhengzhang, 2003)

	Old Chinese
鞾	*qʰʷa
華	qʰʷraː, ɡʷraː, *ɡʷraːs
譁	*qʰʷraː
樺	ɡʷraː, ɡʷraːs
嘩	*ɡʷraː
驊	*ɡʷraː
鏵	*ɡʷraː
崋	ɡʷraː, ɡʷraːs

Pictogram (象形) ; this was the original form of 花 (OC *hʷraː, “flower”). In the bronze inscription form, the top part of the glyph resembles flowers of a plant, and the bottom part (于) resembles its stalk and leaves. Also phono-semantic (形聲／形声) , with 于 (OC *ɢʷa) functioning as the phonetic part. In the seal script, 艸 (“grass; plant”) was added as a semantic component.

華 (𦻏) and 𠌶 were initially the same character, but they were erroneously split in Shuowen into two entries.

Pronunciation 1

Mandarin
(Standard)
(Pinyin): huá (hua²)
(Zhuyin): ㄏㄨㄚˊ
(Chengdu, SP): hua²
(Dungan, Cyrillic and Wiktionary): хуа (hua, I)
Cantonese
(Guangzhou, Jyutping): waa⁴, waa^4-2
(Taishan, Wiktionary): va³
Gan (Wiktionary): fa⁴
Hakka
(Sixian, PFS): fà
(Meixian, Guangdong): fa²
Jin (Wiktionary): hua¹
Min Bei (KCR): uǎ
Min Dong (BUC): huà
Min Nan
(Hokkien, POJ): hôa / hoa
(Teochew, Peng'im): hua⁵ / ê⁶
Wu (Wiktionary): hho (T3)
Xiang (Wiktionary): fa²

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: huá
  - Zhuyin: ㄏㄨㄚˊ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: huá
  - Wade–Giles: hua²
  - Yale: hwá
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: hwa
  - Palladius: хуа (xua)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /xwä³⁵/
- (Chengdu)
  - Sichuanese Pinyin: hua²
  - Scuanxua Ladinxua Xin Wenz: xua
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /xua²¹/
- (Dungan)
  - Cyrillic and Wiktionary: хуа (hua, I)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /xua²⁴/
  (Note: Dungan pronunciation is currently experimental and may be inaccurate.)
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou)⁺
  - Jyutping: waa⁴, waa^4-2
  - Yale: wàh, wá
  - Cantonese Pinyin: waa⁴, waa^4-2
  - Guangdong Romanization: wa⁴, wa^4-2
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /waː²¹/, /waː²¹⁻³⁵/

Note: waa4-2 - used in names.

- (Taishanese, Taicheng)
  - Wiktionary: va³
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /va²²/
Gan
- (Nanchang)
  - Wiktionary: fa⁴
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /fa³⁵/
Hakka
- (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Meinong)
  - Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: fà
  - Hakka Romanization System: faˇ
  - Hagfa Pinyim: fa²
  - Sinological IPA: /fa¹¹/
- (Meixian)
  - Guangdong: fa²
  - Sinological IPA: /fa¹¹/
Jin
- (Taiyuan)⁺
  - Wiktionary: hua¹
  - Sinological IPA (old-style): /xua¹¹/
Min Bei
- (Jian'ou)
  - Kienning Colloquial Romanized: uǎ
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ua²¹/
Min Dong
- (Fuzhou)
  - Bàng-uâ-cê: huà
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /hua⁵³/
Min Nan
- (Hokkien: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, General Taiwanese)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: hôa
  - Tâi-lô: huâ
  - Phofsit Daibuun: hoaa
  - IPA (Kaohsiung): /hua²³/
  - IPA (Xiamen, Quanzhou, Taipei): /hua²⁴/
  - IPA (Zhangzhou): /hua¹³/
- (Hokkien: General Taiwanese, Zhangzhou)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: hoa
  - Tâi-lô: hua
  - Phofsit Daibuun: hoaf
  - IPA (Taipei, Kaohsiung, Zhangzhou): /hua⁴⁴/
- (Teochew)
  - Peng'im: hua⁵ / ê⁶
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī-like: huâ / ĕ
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /hua⁵⁵/, /e³⁵/

Note: ê6 - only used in 華美／华美, a village in Chao'an, Guangdong.

Wu
- (Shanghainese)
  - Wiktionary: hho (T3)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ɦo²³/
Xiang
- (Changsha)
  - Wiktionary: fa²
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ɸa̠¹³/

Middle Chinese: /ɦˠua/

Rime
Character	華
Reading #	1/3
Initial (聲)	匣 (33)
Final (韻)	麻 (99)
Tone (調)	Level (Ø)
Openness (開合)	Closed
Division (等)	II
Fanqie	戸花切
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/ɦˠua/
Pan Wuyun	/ɦʷᵚa/
Shao Rongfen	/ɣua/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/ɦwaɨ/
Li Rong	/ɣua/
Wang Li	/ɣwa/
Bernard Karlgren	/ɣwa/
Expected Mandarin Reflex	huá
Expected Cantonese Reflex	waa⁴

Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart): /*N-qʷʰˤra/
(Zhengzhang): /*ɡʷraː/

Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014)
Character	華
Reading #	2/3
Modern Beijing (Pinyin)	huá
Middle Chinese	‹ hwæ ›
Old Chinese	/*N-qʷʰˁra/
English	flower (v.); flowery (adj.)
Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "()" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "[]" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. [t] as coda may in fact be -t or -p; Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary.

Zhengzhang system (2003)
Character	華
Reading #	2/3
No.	5312
Phonetic component	華
Rime group	魚
Rime subdivision	0
Corresponding MC rime	華
Old Chinese	/*ɡʷraː/
Notes	說文於聲

Definitions

華

brilliance; magnificence
光華／光华 ― guānghuá ― brilliance
- 若木在建木西，末有十日，其華照下地。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  若木在建木西，末有十日，其华照下地。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: Huainanzi, 2^nd century BCE
  Ruòmù zài jiànmù xī, mò yǒu shí rì, qí huá zhào xiàdì. [Pinyin]
  The ruomu is west of the jianmu, and on its top are ten suns, whose brilliance shines on the earth.
(good) times; years; period
年華／年华 ― niánhuá ― good times
young; youthful
literary grace; talent for literature
prestige; status; fame
colourful; brilliant (especially of carvings and decorations)
magnificent; gorgeous; resplendent
華麗／华丽 ― huálì ― gorgeous; splendid
- 五色點注，華羽參差。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  五色点注，华羽参差。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: 3rd century, 鍾會／钟会 (Zhong Hui), 孔雀賦
  Wǔsè diǎnzhù, huá yǔ cēncī. [Pinyin]
  (please add an English translation of this example)
delicious; tasty
essence; quintessence
含英咀華／含英咀华 ― hányīngjǔhuá ― to savour the merits of a literary work
- 物華天寶，龍光射牛斗之墟。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  物华天宝，龙光射牛斗之墟。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: 675, Wang Bo, 滕王閣序／滕王阁序
  Wùhuátiānbǎo, lóngguāng shè niúdǒu zhī xū. [Pinyin]
  (please add an English translation of this example)
(honorific) your; your honourable
華誕／华诞 ― huádàn ― birthday; your birthday
(exalted) Short for 華夏／华夏 (Huáxià): land of illustrious clothing and grand ritual—China; Chinese culture
訪華／访华 ― fǎnghuá ― to visit China
駐華大使館／驻华大使馆 ― zhùhuá dàshǐguǎn ― embassy in China
華僑/華人／华侨/华人 ― huáqiáo / huárén ― Chinese residing abroad
- 裔不謀夏，夷不亂華。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  裔不谋夏，夷不乱华。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4^th century BCE
  Yì bù móu xià, yí bù luàn huá. [Pinyin]
  (please add an English translation of this example)
Short for 漢語／汉语 (Hànyǔ, “Chinese language”).
luxuriant; flourishing; prosperous
繁華／繁华 ― fánhuá ― prosperous
noble; influential; eminent
grey (of hair)
- 故國神遊，多情應笑我，早生華髮。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  故国神游，多情应笑我，早生华发。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: 1082, Su Shi, 念奴嬌·赤壁懷古
  Gùguó shényóu, duōqíng yīng xiào wǒ, zǎo shēng huáfà. [Pinyin]
  (please add an English translation of this example)
flashy; extravagant; showy; ostentatious; florid
華而不實／华而不实 ― huá'érbùshí ― flashy and without substance
face powder
鉛華／铅华 ― qiānhuá ― lead face powder
(historical, obsolete) cover of a carriage
(obsolete) fruit (of a cucurbit plant)
Alternative form of 譁／哗 (“noisy”).

Synonyms

(China):

edit

Synonyms of 華

中 (Zhōng) (abbreviation)
中原 (Zhōngyuán)
九州 (Jiǔzhōu)
唐山 (Tángshān)
域中 (yùzhōng) (literary, figurative)
天下 (tiānxià) (lofty)
天朝 (Tiāncháo) (historical or Internet slang)
支那 (Zhīnà) (obsolete, now usually derogatory or offensive)

桃花石 (Táohuāshí) (obsolete)
猜拿 (transliteration of English China)
神州 (Shénzhōu) (literary)
脂那 (Zhīnà) (obsolete)
至那 (Zhìnà) (obsolete)
震旦 (Zhèndàn) (archaic)
中國／中国 (Zhōngguó)
中華／中华 (Zhōnghuá)

種花家／种花家 (Zhònghuājiā) (slang, humorous)
華／华 (Huá) (abbreviation)
華夏／华夏 (Huáxià)
諸夏／诸夏 (Zhūxià)
諸華／诸华 (Zhūhuá)
赤縣／赤县 (Chìxiàn) (literary)
赤縣神州／赤县神州 (Chìxiàn Shénzhōu) (literary)

Compounds

Derived terms from 華

三華聚頂／三华聚顶
中華／中华 (Zhōnghuá)
中華人民共和國／中华人民共和国 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó)
中華商場／中华商场
中華大學／中华大学
中華山／中华山 (Zhōnghuáshān)
中華新韻／中华新韵
中華民國／中华民国 (Zhōnghuá Mínguó)
中華民族／中华民族 (Zhōnghuá mínzú)
中華路／中华路 (Zhōnghuálù)
九華山／九华山 (Jiǔhuá Shān)
九華帳／九华帐 (jiǔhuázhàng)
二八年華／二八年华
五胡亂華／五胡乱华 (Wǔhúluànhuá)
五華／五华 (Wǔhuá)
京華／京华 (jīnghuá)
光華／光华 (guānghuá)
光華射目／光华射目
內華達／内华达 (Nèihuádá)
公西華／公西华
凝華／凝华 (nínghuá)
務實去華／务实去华
南華大學／南华大学
南華經／南华经 (Nánhuájīng)
含英咀華／含英咀华 (hányīngjǔhuá)
咀英嚼華／咀英嚼华
嘉年華會／嘉年华会
國華／国华 (guóhuá)
地望高華／地望高华
夢華／梦华
天地精華／天地精华
奢華／奢华 (shēhuá)
容華／容华
富貴榮華／富贵荣华
年華／年华 (niánhuá)
悃愊無華／悃愊无华
悔讀南華／悔读南华
愛德華島／爱德华岛
愛德華湖／爱德华湖
愛荷華州／爱荷华州
才華／才华 (cáihuá)
捃華／捃华
捐華務實／捐华务实
摭華捐實／摭华捐实
新華／新华 (Xīnhuá)
新華社／新华社 (Xīnhuáshè)
日精月華／日精月华
日華／日华
昇華／升华
昭華／昭华
月華／月华 (yuèhuá)
朱華／朱华
朱輪華轂／朱轮华毂
東華大學／东华大学
東華門／东华门
榮華／荣华 (rónghuá)
榮華富貴／荣华富贵 (rónghuáfùguì)
樸實無華／朴实无华 (pǔshíwúhuá)
樸素無華／朴素无华
樸質無華／朴质无华
步月華／步月华
歲華／岁华
水木清華／水木清华
洗淨鉛華／洗净铅华
浮華／浮华 (fúhuá)
浮華世界／浮华世界
清華／清华 (Qīnghuá)
清華園／清华园 (Qīnghuáyuán)
清華大學／清华大学

渥太華／渥太华 (Wòtàihuá)
溫哥華／温哥华 (Wēngēhuá)
物華／物华 (wùhuá)
物華天寶／物华天宝
玉華／玉华 (yùhuá)
瑤華浦／瑶华浦
瑤華音／瑶华音
白華／白华 (báihuá)
白華之怨／白华之怨
碧華／碧华 (bìhuá)
穠華／秾华
章華／章华
精華／精华 (jīnghuá)
紛華／纷华
繁華／繁华 (fánhuá)
繁華世界／繁华世界
翠華／翠华 (cuìhuá)
耶和華／耶和华 (Yēhéhuá)
興華／兴华 (Xīnghuá)
芬華／芬华
芳華／芳华 (fānghuá)
苕之華／苕之华
苕華玉／苕华玉
英華／英华
荳蔻年華／豆蔻年华
菁華／菁华
華中／华中 (huázhōng)
華人／华人 (Huárén)
華倫泰節／华伦泰节
華僑／华侨 (huáqiáo)
華僑條款／华侨条款
華光／华光
華北／华北 (Huáběi)
華北平原／华北平原 (Huáběi Píngyuán)
華南／华南 (Huánán)
華嚴五祖／华严五祖
華嚴宗／华严宗
華嚴經／华严经
華埠／华埠 (huábù)
華夏／华夏 (Huáxià)
華宗／华宗
華容／华容 (Huáróng)
華屋／华屋
華屋丘墟／华屋丘墟
華屋山丘／华屋山丘
華工／华工 (huágōng)
華年／华年 (huánián)
華府／华府 (Huáfǔ)
華彩／华彩 (huácǎi)
華志／华志
華文／华文 (huáwén)
華族／华族 (huázú)
華東／华东 (Huádōng)
華格納／华格纳 (Huágénà)
華梵大學／华梵大学
華氏／华氏 (Huáshì)
華氏溫度計／华氏温度计
華氏溫標／华氏温标
華沙／华沙 (Huáshā)
華沙公約／华沙公约
華清宮／华清宫
華燈／华灯 (huádēng)
華燈初上／华灯初上
華爾滋／华尔滋
華爾茲／华尔兹 (huá'ěrzī)
華爾街／华尔街 (Huá'ěrjiē)
華甸／华甸
華界／华界
華盛頓／华盛顿 (Huáshèngdùn)

華簪／华簪
華絲葛／华丝葛
華美／华美 (huáměi)
華翰／华翰
華而不實／华而不实 (huá'érbùshí)
華胄／华胄 (huázhòu)
華胥／华胥 (Huáxū)
華胥世／华胥世
華胥之夢／华胥之梦
華胥調／华胥调
華腴／华腴
華膴／华𰮇
華興會／华兴会
華萊士／华莱士 (Huáláishì)
華蓋／华盖 (huágài)
華表／华表 (huábiǎo)
華表鶴歸／华表鹤归
華裔／华裔 (huáyì)
華西／华西 (Huáxī)
華視／华视 (Huáshì)
華誕／华诞 (huádàn)
華語／华语 (huáyǔ)
華豔／华艳
華貴／华贵 (huáguì)
華辭／华辞 (huácí)
華農東／华农东 (Huánóngdōng)
華農西／华农西 (Huánóngxī)
華里／华里 (huálǐ)
華鎣／华蓥 (Huáyíng)
華陽國志／华阳国志
華靡／华靡 (huámǐ)
華頂峰／华顶峰
華髮／华发 (huáfà)
華鬘／华鬘
華鬢／华鬓
華麗／华丽 (huálì)
萬華／万华 (Wànhuá)
虛華／虚华 (xūhuá)
裳裳者華／裳裳者华
詞華／词华
詞華典贍／词华典赡
豆蔻年華／豆蔻年华 (dòukòuniánhuá)
豐華／丰华
豪華／豪华 (háohuá)
豪華車／豪华车
踵事增華／踵事增华
辱承華翰／辱承华翰
逸景華庭／逸景华庭 (Yìjǐnghuátíng)
遙遙華胄／遥遥华胄
郭華情罪／郭华情罪
重華／重华
重華宮／重华宫
金色年華／金色年华
金華／金华 (Jīnhuá)
金華殿語／金华殿语
鉛華／铅华
錦瑟華年／锦瑟华年
雍容華貴／雍容华贵
雲華／云华
露華／露华 (lùhuá)
韶華／韶华 (sháohuá)
韶華如駛／韶华如驶
風華／风华 (fēnghuá)
風華正茂／风华正茂 (fēnghuázhèngmào)
風華絕代／风华绝代
黛綠年華／黛绿年华
黜華／黜华
龍華山／龙华山 (Lónghuáshān)
龍華會／龙华会

Descendants

Sino-Xenic (華):

→ Japanese: 華(か) (ka)
→ Korean: 화(華) (hwa)
→ Vietnamese: hoa (華)

Pronunciation 2

Mandarin
(Pinyin): huā (hua¹)
(Zhuyin): ㄏㄨㄚ
Cantonese
(Guangzhou, Jyutping): faa¹
(Taishan, Wiktionary): va¹
Min Dong (BUC): huă
Min Nan
(Hokkien, POJ): hoa
(Teochew, Peng'im): huê¹
Wu (Wiktionary): ho (T1)

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: huā
  - Zhuyin: ㄏㄨㄚ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: hua
  - Wade–Giles: hua¹
  - Yale: hwā
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: hua
  - Palladius: хуа (xua)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /xwä⁵⁵/
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou)⁺
  - Jyutping: faa¹
  - Yale: fā
  - Cantonese Pinyin: faa¹
  - Guangdong Romanization: fa¹
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /faː⁵⁵/
- (Taishanese, Taicheng)
  - Wiktionary: va¹
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /va³³/
Min Dong
- (Fuzhou)
  - Bàng-uâ-cê: huă
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /hua⁵⁵/
Min Nan
- (Hokkien)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: hoa
  - Tâi-lô: hua
  - Phofsit Daibuun: hoaf
  - IPA (Xiamen): /hua⁴⁴/
  - IPA (Quanzhou): /hua³³/
  - IPA (Zhangzhou): /hua⁴⁴/
  - IPA (Taipei): /hua⁴⁴/
  - IPA (Kaohsiung): /hua⁴⁴/
- (Teochew)
  - Peng'im: huê¹
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī-like: hue
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /hue³³/
Wu
- (Shanghainese)
  - Wiktionary: ho (T1)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ho⁵³/

Middle Chinese: /hˠua/

Rime
Character	華
Reading #	2/3
Initial (聲)	曉 (32)
Final (韻)	麻 (99)
Tone (調)	Level (Ø)
Openness (開合)	Closed
Division (等)	II
Fanqie	呼瓜切
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/hˠua/
Pan Wuyun	/hʷᵚa/
Shao Rongfen	/xua/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/hwaɨ/
Li Rong	/xua/
Wang Li	/xwa/
Bernard Karlgren	/xwa/
Expected Mandarin Reflex	huā
Expected Cantonese Reflex	faa¹

Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart): /*qʷʰˤra/
(Zhengzhang): /*qʰʷraː/

Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014)
Character	華
Reading #	1/3
Modern Beijing (Pinyin)	huā
Middle Chinese	‹ xwæ ›
Old Chinese	/*qʷʰˁra/
English	flower (n.)
Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "()" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "[]" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. [t] as coda may in fact be -t or -p; Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary.

Zhengzhang system (2003)
Character	華
Reading #	1/3
No.	5308
Phonetic component	華
Rime group	魚
Rime subdivision	0
Corresponding MC rime	華
Old Chinese	/*qʰʷraː/

Definitions

華

Alternative form of 花 (huā, “flower; blossom”).
- 皇皇者華，于彼原隰。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]
  皇皇者华，于彼原隰。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
  Huánghuáng zhě huá, yú bǐ yuán xí. [Pinyin]
  Brilliant are the flowers,
  On those level heights and the low grounds.
to flower; to blossom
- 昔我往矣，黍稷方華。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]
  昔我往矣，黍稷方华。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
  Xī wǒ wǎng yǐ, shǔjì fāng huā. [Pinyin]
  When we were marching at first,
  The millets were in flower.
- 桐始華，田鼠化為鴽，虹始見，萍始生。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  桐始华，田鼠化为𫛪，虹始见，萍始生。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Book of Rites, c. 4^th – 2^nd century BCE
  Tóng shǐ huā, tiánshǔ huàwéi rú, hóng shǐ xiàn, píng shǐ shēng. [Pinyin]
  The Elaeococca begins to flower. Moles are transformed into quails. Rainbows begin to appear. Duckweed begins to grow.
(traditional Chinese medicine) flower pulse; weak pulse
to be dim-sighted; to be dazzled
to dissect; to cut up

Compounds

Derived terms from 華

九華／九华
優曇華／优昙华
寒木春華／寒木春华
春華／春华
春華秋實／春华秋实
枯楊生華／枯杨生华
枯樹生華／枯树生华
棣華／棣华
法華三昧／法华三昧

法華器／法华器
法華宗／法华宗
法華文句／法华文句
法華玄義／法华玄义
法華經／法华经
狂華／狂华
瑤華／瑶华
皇皇者華／皇皇者华
繁華損枝／繁华损枝

舜華／舜华 (shùnhuá)
華池／华池 (Huáchí)
華萼／华萼
華鄂／华鄂
蓮華衣／莲华衣
襛華／𰳺华
賁華／贲华
銜華佩實／衔华佩实

Pronunciation 3

Mandarin
(Pinyin): huà (hua⁴)
(Zhuyin): ㄏㄨㄚˋ
Cantonese
(Guangzhou, Jyutping): waa⁶
(Taishan, Wiktionary): va⁵
Min Dong (BUC): huá
Min Nan
(Hokkien, POJ): hòa
(Teochew, Peng'im): hua⁵

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: huà
  - Zhuyin: ㄏㄨㄚˋ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: huà
  - Wade–Giles: hua⁴
  - Yale: hwà
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: huah
  - Palladius: хуа (xua)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /xwä⁵¹/
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou)⁺
  - Jyutping: waa⁶
  - Yale: wah
  - Cantonese Pinyin: waa⁶
  - Guangdong Romanization: wa⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /waː²²/
- (Taishanese, Taicheng)
  - Wiktionary: va⁵
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /va³²/
Min Dong
- (Fuzhou)
  - Bàng-uâ-cê: huá
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /huɑ²¹³/
Min Nan
- (Hokkien)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: hòa
  - Tâi-lô: huà
  - Phofsit Daibuun: hoax
  - IPA (Xiamen): /hua²¹/
  - IPA (Quanzhou): /hua⁴¹/
  - IPA (Zhangzhou): /hua²¹/
  - IPA (Taipei): /hua¹¹/
  - IPA (Kaohsiung): /hua²¹/
- (Teochew)
  - Peng'im: hua⁵
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī-like: huâ
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /hua⁵⁵/

Middle Chinese: /ɦˠua^H/

Rime
Character	華
Reading #	3/3
Initial (聲)	匣 (33)
Final (韻)	麻 (99)
Tone (調)	Departing (H)
Openness (開合)	Closed
Division (等)	II
Fanqie	胡化切
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/ɦˠua^H/
Pan Wuyun	/ɦʷᵚa^H/
Shao Rongfen	/ɣua^H/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/ɦwaɨ^H/
Li Rong	/ɣua^H/
Wang Li	/ɣwa^H/
Bernard Karlgren	/ɣwa^H/
Expected Mandarin Reflex	huà
Expected Cantonese Reflex	waa⁶

Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart): /*[ɢ]ʷˤra-s/
(Zhengzhang): /*ɡʷraːs/

Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014)
Character	華
Reading #	3/3
Modern Beijing (Pinyin)	huà
Middle Chinese	‹ hwæ^H ›
Old Chinese	/*[ɢ]ʷˁra-s/
English	[name of a mountain]
Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "()" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "[]" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. [t] as coda may in fact be -t or -p; Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary.

Zhengzhang system (2003)
Character	華
Reading #	3/3
No.	5316
Phonetic component	華
Rime group	魚
Rime subdivision	0
Corresponding MC rime	摦
Old Chinese	/*ɡʷraːs/
Notes	華山、同崋

Definitions

華

(～山) Mount Hua (a mountain in Shaanxi)
Original form of 樺／桦 (huà, “birch”).
a surname
華羅庚／华罗庚 ― Huà Luógēng ― Hua Luogeng (mathematician)

Compounds

Derived terms from 華

太華山／太华山
華亭鶴唳／华亭鹤唳
華佗再世／华佗再世
華家河／华家河 (Huàjiāhé)

華封三祝／华封三祝
華山／华山 (Huà Shān)
華山碑／华山碑
華岳／华岳

華嶽／华岳
華祝三多／华祝三多
華陰／华阴 (Huàyīn, “Huayin”)

Japanese

Shinjitai	華
Kyūjitai [1][2][3]	華󠄂 華+`󠄂`^? (Hanyo-Denshi) (Moji_Joho)
Kyūjitai [1][2][3]	華󠄃 華+`󠄃`^? (Hanyo-Denshi) (Moji_Joho)
The displayed kanji may be different from the image due to your environment. See here for details.

Kanji

華

(common “Jōyō” kanji)

flower
flashiness
brilliance, shine
beauty, splendor
fine, white powder
China, Chinese
sixty-one-year-old; kanreki

Readings

From Middle Chinese 華 (MC hˠua); compare Mandarin 華／华 (huā):

Go-on: け (ke, Jōyō ^†)^{←け (ke, historical)}^{←くゑ (kwe, ancient)}
Kan-on: か (ka, Jōyō)^{←くわ (kwa, historical)}

From Middle Chinese 華 (MC ɦˠua); compare Mandarin 華／华 (huá):

Go-on: げ (ge)^{←げ (ge, historical)}^{←ぐゑ (gwe, ancient)}
Kan-on: か (ka, Jōyō)^{←くわ (kwa, historical)}

From Middle Chinese 華 (MC ɦˠua^H); compare Mandarin 華／华 (huà):

Go-on: げ (ge)^{←げ (ge, historical)}^{←ぐゑ (gwe, ancient)}
Kan-on: か (ka, Jōyō)^{←くわ (kwa, historical)}

From native Japanese roots:

Kun: はな (hana, 華, Jōyō); はなさく (hanasaku, 華さく); はなやか (hanayaka, 華やか)
Nanori: あき (aki); てる (teru); は (ha); はな (hana); はる (haru)

Compounds

華夷(かい) (Kai)
華僑(かきょう) (Kakyō)
華語(かご) (Kago)
華甲(かこう) (kakō)
華字(かじ) (kaji)
華奢(かしゃ) (kasha), 華奢(きゃしゃ) (kyasha)
華(か)燭(しょく) (kashoku, “bright light”)
華人(かじん) (Kajin)
華族(かぞく) (kazoku)
華道(かどう) (kadō)
華美(かび) (kabi)
華府(かふ) (Kafu)
華麗(かれい) (karei)
華盛頓(ワシントン) (Washinton)
優曇華(うどんげ) (udonge) : udumbara
栄華(えいが) (eiga)
豪華(ごうか) (gōka)
香華(こうげ) (kōge)
国華(こっか) (kokka)
散華(さんげ) (sange) : (Buddhism) rite of scattering flowers
精華(せいか) (seika)
中華(ちゅうか) (Chūka)
日華(にっか) (nikka)
繁華(はんか) (hanka)
浮華(ふか) (fuka)
法華(ほっけ) (Hokke), 法華(ほけ) (Hoke)
万華鏡(まんげきょう) (mangekyō)
由華(ゆか) (Yuka) : a female given name
蓮華(れんげ) (renge)

Etymology 1

Kanji in this term
華
か Grade: S
kan’on

/kua/ → /kʷa/ → /ka/

From Middle Chinese 華 (MC ɦˠua).

Pronunciation

On’yomi: Kan’on

(Tokyo) か [káꜜ] (Atamadaka – [1])[4]
IPA^(key): [ka̠]

Some dictionaries apparently classify this reading as either goon or kan'yōon.

Noun

華(か) • (ka) ^{←くわ (kwa)^?}

flashiness, showiness
Synonym: 虚飾 (kyoshoku)

Idioms

華(か)を去(さ)り実(じつ)に就(つ)く (ka o sari jitsu ni tsuku)

Proper noun

華(か) • (Ka) ^{←くわ (kwa)^?}

a surname
a male or female given name

Etymology 2

Kanji in this term
華
はな Grade: S
kun’yomi

/pana/ → /fana/ → /hana/

From Old Japanese.

Pronunciation

Kun’yomi

(Tokyo) はな [hànáꜜ] (Odaka – [2])[4]
IPA^(key): [ha̠na̠]

For pronunciation and definitions of 華 – see the following entry.

【花はな】1

[noun] a flower

[noun] Short for 生け花 (ikebana): flower arrangement

[noun] Short for 花札 (hanafuda): Japanese playing cards

[noun] the best days of one's life

[noun] the best thing

[noun] essence

(This term, 華, is an alternative spelling of the above term.)

Derived terms

華華(はなばな) (hanabana), 華々(はなばな) (hanabana)
華(はな)めく (hanameku)
華(はな)やか (hanayaka)
華(はな)やぐ (hanayagu)
華岡(はなおか) (Hanaoka)
議会(ぎかい)の華(はな) (gikai no hana)
国(くに)の華(はな) (kuni no hana)
波(なみ)の華(はな) (nami no hana)
水(みず)の華(はな) (mizu no hana)
湯(ゆ)の華(はな) (yu no hana)

Idiom

火事(かじ)と喧嘩(けんか)は江戸(えど)の華(はな) (kaji to kenka wa Edo no hana)

Proverb

枯木(こぼく)華(はな)開(ひら)く (koboku hana hiraku)

Proper noun

華(はな) • (Hana)

a female given name
a surname

References

“華”, in 漢字ぺディア (Kanjipedia)‎ (in Japanese), 日本漢字能力検定協会, 2015—2023
1914, 漢和大辭書 (Kanwa Dai Jisho, “The Great Kanji-Japanese Dictionary”) (in Japanese), page 1826 (paper), page 965 (digital), Tōkyō: 興文社 (Kōbunsha)
1927, 新漢和辭典 (Shin Kanwa Jiten, “The New Kanji-Japanese Dictionary”) (in Japanese), page 1033 (paper), page 529 (digital), Ōsaka: 松雲堂 (Shōundō)
2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN

Korean

Hanja

華 • (hwa) (hangeul 화)

bright; colorful

Vietnamese

Han character

華: Hán Việt readings: hoa (戶(hộ)花(hoa)切(thiết))[1][2][3]
華: Nôm readings: hoa[1][2][3][4]

chữ Hán form of Hoa (“Hoa people”).

Compounds

華夏 (hoa hạ)

References

Nguyễn (2014).
Nguyễn et al. (2009).
Trần (2004).
Taberd & Pigneau de Béhaine (1838).

[1] “華”, in 漢字ぺディア (Kanjipedia)‎ (in Japanese), 日本漢字能力検定協会, 2015—2023

[2] 1914, 漢和大辭書 (Kanwa Dai Jisho, “The Great Kanji-Japanese Dictionary”) (in Japanese), page 1826 (paper), page 965 (digital), Tōkyō: 興文社 (Kōbunsha)

[3] 1927, 新漢和辭典 (Shin Kanwa Jiten, “The New Kanji-Japanese Dictionary”) (in Japanese), page 1033 (paper), page 529 (digital), Ōsaka: 松雲堂 (Shōundō)

[DJR-4] 2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN

[tdcndg-5] Nguyễn (2014).

[tdcntd-6] Nguyễn et al. (2009).

[gdhn-7] Trần (2004).

[taberd-8] Taberd & Pigneau de Béhaine (1838).