Chinese word

百合

Pronunciation

Pinyinbǎi hé

Meaning

  • nounlily

Example

花店里有一束百合。huā diàn lǐ yǒu yí shù bǎi hé

There is a bouquet of lilies in the flower shop.

Illustration for 百合 (lily)

More examples

桌上放着几朵白色的百合。zhuō shàng fàng zhe jí duǒ bái sè de bǎi hé

Several white lilies are on the table.

Core concept

A familiar lily form: a hidden, many-layered bulb produces one or more bold flowers for gardens, bouquets, or food.

Common phrases

  • 百合花bǎi hé huā

    lily flower

  • 白色的百合bái sè de bǎi hé

    white lily

  • 种百合zhǒng bǎi hé

    plant lilies

Similar words

花huā: The part of a plant that is usually colorful and valued for its beauty.
植物zhí wù: A living organism with leaves and stems that grows in soil or water.
花束huā shù: Several flowers gathered together into one bundle for giving.

Definition in Chinese

指百合属等的球根植物，花大而显著，常作切花或庭植，其鳞茎可食用或入药。zhǐ bǎi hé shǔ děng de qiú gēn zhí wù huā dà ér xiǎn zhù cháng zuò qiē huā huò tíng zhí qí lín jīng kě shí yòng huò rù yào

Word origin

The traditional explanation of 百合 (bǎihé, "lily") points to 百 (bǎi, "many") and 合 (hé, "join"), describing scales that gather into one bulb.

Usage tips

  • The measure word 束 (shù, "bundle") commonly counts cut lily stems in a florist setting, while 株 (zhū, "plant") counts a rooted plant.

Other meanings

  • lily bulbnoun

Related words

  • 百合花bǎi hé huālily flowernoun
  • 百合科bǎi hé kēlily familynoun

Word lists with this word