红茶

• Pinyin: hóng chá
• Hanzi breakdown: 红 = 纟 (silk radical) + 工 (work, phonetic); 茶 = 艹 (grass) + 人 + 木 (tree)

Meaning

Black tea. A fully fermented tea that produces a dark red infusion, widely consumed in China and internationally.

In Chinese, this tea is named for the colour of the brewed liquid (red), whereas in English it is called 'black tea' after the colour of the dried leaves. Common varieties include 祁门红茶 and 滇红. It is often served plain or with milk.

Examples

1. 请给我来一杯红茶。 Please give me a cup of black tea.
2. 她每天早上都喝红茶。 She drinks black tea every morning.
3. 这家店的红茶味道很好。 The black tea at this shop tastes really good.

Usage Guide

Context: food and drink, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我喜欢喝红茶，不太喜欢喝绿茶。(I like drinking black tea, but not so much green tea.)
• 你想喝红茶还是咖啡？(Would you like black tea or coffee?)

Don't Say

• 我要一个红茶。(Don't use 个 as the measure word for tea — say 一杯红茶 using 杯 for drinks.)

Origin & History

Compound of 红 (red) and 茶 (tea). Named for the reddish colour of the brewed liquid, contrasting with the English term 'black tea' which refers to the dark dried leaves.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal