さくら
Alternative readings: サクラ
Alternative writings: , 偽客
JLPT:N3
Frequency:
1

A cherry tree or its blossoms (cherry blossoms); the tree or flowers, especially the culturally significant blossoms seen in spring in Japan.

Noun

Examples

毎年、公園で桜を見に行きます。

I go to the park every year to see the cherry blossoms.

入学式は桜が満開の頃に行われることが多い。

Entrance ceremonies often take place when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

桜の花が風に散って、川面がピンクに染まった。

The cherry blossoms scattered in the wind and dyed the river's surface pink.

この公園には樹齢200年の桜の木がある。

This park has a 200-year-old cherry tree.

2

A shill; a paid customer or audience member hired to pose as a genuine patron in order to create the appearance of popularity or support.

NounUsually Kana

Examples

会場にはサクラがいて、客がたくさん来ているように見せていた。

There were shills in the venue to make it look like many customers had come.

ネットのレビューにサクラが紛れていることがあるので注意して読む。

Be careful when reading online reviews, because shills sometimes appear among them.

新製品の紹介イベントでサクラを雇って拍手をさせた。

They hired shills at the new product launch to clap.

3

A hired applauder; a person employed to generate applause, laughter, or audience reaction at performances or recordings.

NounUsually Kana

Examples

テレビ番組の収録で、サクラが笑いや拍手を作っていた。

During the TV recording, hired audience members created laughter and applause.

彼は昔、舞台のサクラとして雇われたことがあると言った。

He said he once worked as a hired applauder for a stage.

4

Horse meat (colloquial), sometimes euphemistically called 'sakura' (see also 桜肉).

NounColloquial

Examples

その店では馬肉を「桜」と呼んでメニューに載せている。

That shop lists horse meat on the menu under the name 'sakura.'

桜(桜肉)は低脂肪で独特の風味がある。

Horse meat (sakura) is low in fat and has a distinctive flavor.