桂花

Etymology
Adaptation of to distinguish the osmanthus from the.

Noun

 * 1) sweet osmanthus

Etymology 1
&#42; → →

From compound. Compare modern 🇨🇬 reading kùi-hoe.

Noun

 * 1) sweet osmanthus
 * 2) the flowers of the sweet osmanthus

Usage notes
The term 桂花 is generally reserved for compounds. The tree and the flowers are usually distinguished within Japan between the white-blossoming and the orange-blossoming, with the latter being more popular.

Synonyms

 * : gold osmanthus
 * : silver osmanthus
 * : in general

Derived terms

 * : sweet osmanthus tea, a tea flavored with sweet osmanthus blossoms
 * : sweet osmanthus sauce, a sweet sauce flavored with sweet osmanthus blossoms
 * : sweet osmanthus wine, an aged white wine flavored with sweet osmanthus blossoms

Etymology 2
From a Chinese legend that the phases of the moon were caused by kei trees (, general name for and other fragrant trees), which would bud, blossom, then drop their flowers and leaves again as if in accelerated seasons. Literally, “kei flower”, likening the phases of the moon to the budding and blooming of the trees.

Noun

 * 1)  the moon