Chinese word

瓜子

Pronunciation

Pinyinguā zi

Meaning

  • nounmelon seeds

Example

这包瓜子很受欢迎。zhè bāo guā zi hěn shòu huān yíng

This bag of melon seeds is very popular.

Illustration for 瓜子 (melon seeds)

More examples

老人们在公园里嗑瓜子。lǎo rén men zài gōng yuán lǐ kē guā zi

Older people are cracking melon seeds in the park.

Core concept

Small edible seeds in a hard shell, usually roasted and seasoned, with the kernel eaten after the shell is cracked.

Common phrases

  • 嗑瓜子kē guā zi

    crack melon seeds

  • 吃瓜子chī guā zi

    eat melon seeds

  • 剥瓜子的壳bō guā zi de ké

    remove melon seed shells

Similar words

葵花籽kuí huā zǐ: Sunflower seeds prepared as a snack, with the shell cracked to eat the kernel.
瓜籽guā zǐ: Seeds found inside melon-family fruits that can be eaten as food.

Definition in Chinese

原指瓜类植物的种籽，口语中多指经过烘烤或炒制并加盐或调味的葵花籽这一类常见零食。yuán zhǐ guā lèi zhí wù de zhóng zǐ kóu yǔ zhōng duō zhǐ jīng guò hōng kǎo huò chǎo zhì bìng jiā yán huò tiáo wèi de kuí huā zǐ zhè yí lèi cháng jiàn líng shí

Word origin

瓜 (guā, "melon") + 子 (zi, "seed or small thing") literally forms "melon seed", while everyday usage extends the name to roasted, seasoned edible seeds, especially sunflower seeds.

Usage tips

  • 吃瓜子 (chī guāzi, "eat melon seeds") is a useful everyday collocation, and it commonly describes relaxed snacking while chatting, watching television, or playing cards.

Related words

  • 瓜子仁guā zi rénmelon seed kernelnoun
  • 瓜子壳guā zi kémelon seed shellnoun

Word lists with this word