(ななぶざ)

ななぶざき
noun
seventy percent in bloom; nearly full bloom
natureculture
1. seventy percent in bloom; nearly full bloom
A stage of flowering when approximately 70% of the blossoms have opened. Part of the cherry blossom scale used in weather forecasts and hanami planning.
(さくら)七分咲(ななぶざ)きだ。
The cherry blossoms are about seventy percent in bloom.
今週末(こんしゅうまつ)七分咲(ななぶざ)予想(よそう)です。
The forecast is for seventy percent bloom this weekend.
We enjoyed cherry blossom viewing under trees that were nearly in full bloom.

Part of the traditional cherry blossom blooming scale (開花(かいか) stages) used by the Japan Meteorological Agency and in daily conversation during spring. The scale progresses through stages from buds ((つぼみ)) to full bloom (満開(まんかい)) to falling petals (()(はじ)め).

Blooming scale

Usage

Many people consider 七分咲(ななぶざ)き to be the most beautiful stage for 花見(はなみ), as the blossoms are nearly full but the trees still have fresh buds opening.