果实

• Pinyin: guǒ shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 果 = 田 (field) on 木 (tree) — fruit hanging on a tree; 实 = 宀 (roof) + 头 — fullness under a roof, meaning solid or real

Meaning

Fruit; result; achievement. Refers to the actual fruit of a plant, or figuratively to the outcomes of effort and work.

In a literal sense, 果实 refers to the botanical fruit produced by a plant. Figuratively, it is often used to describe the rewards of hard work or achievement, as in 劳动的果实 (fruits of labour). More formal and literary than 水果 (fruit as food). Common in both scientific and metaphorical contexts.

Examples

1. 秋天到了，树上结满了果实。 Autumn has arrived, and the trees are full of fruit.
2. 这些研究成果是团队多年努力的果实。 These research achievements are the fruit of the team's years of effort.
3. 农民们高兴地收获着丰收的果实。 The farmers happily harvested the fruits of a bountiful crop.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, literature, achievement

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这棵树的果实可以吃吗？(Can the fruit of this tree be eaten?)
• 他终于尝到了成功的果实。(He finally tasted the fruit of success.)

Don't Say

• 我去超市买一些果实 (Don't use 果实 for buying fruit at a store — use 水果 instead; 果实 is more literary or botanical)

Origin & History

果 (guǒ, fruit) + 实 (shí, solid/real) — literally 'solid fruit,' emphasising the tangible, real result of growth.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal