菊花

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 菊 means chrysanthemum and 花 flower; the compound is read きっか. It can refer to the blooms themselves or to a motif depicting them.
• Basic usage: It describes chrysanthemum blooms or their depiction on objects such as dishes. In the example, white chrysanthemums bloom together in an autumn garden.
  • 秋の庭に白い菊花が一斉に咲いた。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Everyday naming and register
  • 菊花 has a somewhat formal tone when describing blooms or decorative motifs. 菊 or 菊の花 is more ordinary in everyday references to the flowers.