Chinese word

柠檬

Pronunciation

Pinyinníng méng

Meaning

  • nounlemon

Example

这个柠檬很酸。zhè ge níng méng hěn suān

This lemon is very sour.

Illustration for 柠檬 (lemon)

More examples

妈妈在水里加了两片柠檬。mā mā zài shuǐ lǐ jiā le liǎng piàn níng méng

Mom added two slices of lemon to the water.

Core concept

A yellow-skinned fruit filled with sour juice, often used to give food or drinks a fresh, sharp taste.

Common phrases

  • 一片柠檬yí piàn níng méng

    a slice of lemon

  • 新鲜的柠檬xīn xiān de níng méng

    fresh lemon

  • 柠檬汁níng méng zhī

    lemon juice

Similar words

青柠qīng níng: A usually green-skinned, sour fruit used to add a sharp taste to food and drinks.

Definition in Chinese

一种外皮多为黄色、里面有很多汁、味道很酸的水果，可以用来调味或做饮料。yì zhǒng wài pí duō wèi huáng sè lǐ miàn yǒu hěn duō zhī wèi dào hěn suān de shuí guǒ ké yǐ yòng lái tiáo wèi huò zuò yǐn liào

Word origin

柠檬 (níngméng, "lemon") is a transliterated foreign name, with characters chosen mainly to approximate its sound rather than to combine their individual meanings.

Usage tips

  • In English, lemon can also describe a disappointing car or product, but that figurative use does not automatically transfer to Chinese.

Related words

  • 柠檬汁níng méng zhīlemon juicenoun
  • 柠檬水níng méng shuǐlemonadenoun
  • 柠檬茶níng méng chálemon teanoun

Word lists with this word