1.
Chinese-style soup spoon
A wide, deep ceramic spoon commonly used for eating ramen, Chinese soups, and similar dishes. Short for 散蓮華.
ラーメンを蓮華で食べる。
To eat ramen with a Chinese spoon.
蓮華でスープをすくった。
I scooped up the soup with a Chinese spoon.
ラーメン屋で蓮華と箸を使い分けながらスープと麺を楽しんだ。
At the ramen shop, I enjoyed the soup and noodles while alternating between the spoon and chopsticks.
2.
lotus flower
The lotus flower, which holds symbolic significance in Buddhism. Often seen in Buddhist art and temple decorations.
蓮華の花が咲いた。
The lotus flowers bloomed.
仏像は蓮華の上に座っている。
The Buddha statue sits upon a lotus flower.
池に蓮華の花が美しく咲き誇り、訪れる人々を魅了していた。
Lotus flowers bloomed beautifully in the pond, captivating the visitors.
USAGE:
In everyday conversation, 蓮華 most often refers to the Chinese-style soup spoon (sense 1). The spoon is named after the lotus flower because its shape resembles a lotus petal. The full name is 散蓮華 (scattered lotus petal).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 蓮華でスープを飲む (to drink soup with a Chinese spoon)
- 蓮華の花 (lotus flower)
- 蓮華台 (lotus pedestal — in Buddhist art)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- スプーン: spoon — Western-style spoon
- 蓮: lotus — the plant itself, not the flower specifically