1.
to bloom, to blossom
For flowers to open and bloom. The literal sense of a flower coming into full bloom.
桜が花開いた。
The cherry blossoms bloomed.
春になると庭の花が一斉に花開く。
When spring comes, the flowers in the garden all bloom at once.
長い冬を越えて、ようやく梅の花が花開き始めた。
After a long winter, the plum blossoms have finally begun to bloom.
2.
to flourish, to come to fruition, to blossom
For talent, effort, culture, or a career to reach its peak or achieve success. A figurative extension of the blooming metaphor.
才能が花開いた。
His talent blossomed.
地道な努力がついに花開く時が来た。
The time has finally come for his steady efforts to bear fruit.
江戸時代には独自の町人文化が花開き、歌舞伎や浮世絵が生まれた。
In the Edo period, a distinctive townspeople's culture flourished, giving birth to kabuki and ukiyo-e.
CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (五段). 花開く → 花開かない → 花開いて → 花開いた
USAGE:
Often used figuratively for talents, careers, or cultural movements reaching their peak. The figurative sense is more common in writing and formal speech. In everyday conversation, 咲く is more natural for literal blooming.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 才能が花開く: talent blossoms
- 文化が花開く: culture flourishes
- 努力が花開く: efforts come to fruition