'嵌花' (qiànhuā) is a compound noun meaning 'inlaid floral pattern'—a decorative technique where floral motifs are set into a surface (such as wood, metal, or stone) using contrasting materials like ivory, mother-of-pearl, or colored stones. The first character 嵌 (qiàn) means 'to inlay' or 'to embed', conveying the physical act of setting one material into another; the second character 花 (huā) means 'flower' or 'floral motif', specifying the ornamental subject. Together, they describe both the method and the visual result.

This term appears primarily in contexts related to traditional Chinese craftsmanship, interior design, and antique furniture or architectural decoration. It evokes elegance and artisanal refinement, often associated with Ming- and Qing-dynasty aesthetics. While '花' alone can refer broadly to patterns or decorations, '嵌花' specifically denotes floral designs achieved through inlay—not painting, carving, or embroidery. It is rarely used in casual speech but appears in museum descriptions, restoration reports, and art history texts.