‘Lí huā’ literally means ‘pear flower’ — the delicate, white or pale pink blossoms of the pear tree. The first character 梨 (lí) refers specifically to the pear fruit or tree, while 花 (huā) means ‘flower’; together, they form a compound noun denoting this seasonal bloom. Pear blossoms appear in early spring and are celebrated in Chinese poetry and painting for their purity, fragility, and fleeting beauty.

In everyday usage, ‘lí huā’ appears in nature descriptions, travel writing about spring scenery (e.g., pear blossom festivals in northern China), and literary metaphors — often symbolizing innocence, transience, or quiet elegance. It is not used for other fruit blossoms (e.g., peach or plum), which have their own distinct terms. Unlike generic terms like 花 (huā), ‘lí huā’ always specifies the botanical source, making it precise and contextually rich.