花壇

かだん

flower bed

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"花壇" (かだん) specifically refers to a flower bed, a designated area where flowers are planted, often found in parks, gardens, or school grounds. It is a noun used in everyday contexts related to gardening and outdoor decoration.

Common Contexts

You will often hear "花壇" when talking about public parks, schoolyards, or residential gardens. It implies a cultivated and organized space for flowers, not just wildflowers growing naturally.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 花壇に花を植える: to plant flowers in a flower bed
  • 花壇の手入れをする: to take care of the flower bed
  • 花壇がきれいだ: the flower bed is beautiful

These phrases are common when discussing gardening activities or describing scenery.

Register and Nuance

"花壇" is a neutral, standard word suitable for both formal and informal situations. It is not slang or technical jargon.

Learner Tips

A common confusion is mixing "花壇" with "庭" (にわ, garden) or "花畑" (はなばたけ, flower field). "花壇" is smaller and more organized than a "花畑," and specifically refers to a flower bed, not a whole garden or yard.

Example Sentences

こうえんのちゅうおうにおおきなかだんがあります。

There is a large flower bed in the center of the park.

はるになるとはなだんにいろとりどりのはながさきます。

In spring, colorful flowers bloom in the flower bed.

がっこうのかだんのていれはせいとたちがしています。

The students take care of the school's flower bed.