One of the individual leaf-like parts that make up the head of a flower. A common word in everyday Japanese and frequently used in poetic and literary imagery.
The petals floating on the water's surface formed a beautiful pattern.
Usage
One of the most common nature words in Japanese. 桜の花びら (cherry blossom petals) is an iconic image in Japanese culture and poetry. The word is native Japanese (wago) and is usually written in kana for びら, though the kanji 花弁 exists.