蕾
つぼみ
bud; flower bud; (figuratively) someone with promise still to bloom
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Examples
桜の蕾が膨らんできた。
さくらのつぼみがふくらんできた。
The cherry buds are swelling.
バラの蕾は摘めるうちに摘め。
ばらのつぼみはつめるうちにつめ。
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
彼女はまだ蕾のような、これから伸びる若い歌手だ。
かのじょはまだつぼみのような、これからのびるわかいかしゅだ。
She is still a bud — a young singer with everything ahead of her.
Common patterns
- 蕾が膨らむ
- buds swell
- 蕾をつける
- to form buds
- 蕾が開く
- a bud opens
Memory tip
The grass radical 艹 sits over 雷 (thunder): picture a tight little thunderball packed under the leaves, ready to burst open. Usually written つぼみ in kana. 芽 is a sprout or leaf bud, 蕾 specifically a flower bud.
Kanji in this word
- 蕾Not in the N5–N1 kanji lists
Quick check
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What does 蕾 mean?