桃

• Pinyin: táo
• Hanzi breakdown: 桃 = 木 (wood/tree) + 兆 (omen, phonetic component)

Meaning

Peach. The fruit or the tree that produces it.

One of the most culturally significant fruits in China. Peaches symbolize longevity and immortality in Chinese culture — the legendary Queen Mother of the West (西王母) grows immortal peaches. Also associated with spring due to peach blossoms. Appears in compounds like 桃子 (peach fruit), 桃花 (peach blossom), 桃树 (peach tree).

Examples

1. 夏天的时候，奶奶家的桃树结满了又大又甜的桃子。 In summer, grandma's peach tree was full of big, sweet peaches.
2. 这种水蜜桃是本地特产，果肉细腻多汁。 This honey peach is a local specialty — the flesh is delicate and juicy.
3. 中国神话中，吃了仙桃可以长生不老。 In Chinese mythology, eating immortal peaches can grant eternal life.

Usage Guide

Context: food, nature, culture

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这桃真甜！(This peach is really sweet!)
• 桃子熟了。(The peaches are ripe.)

Don't Say

• 一个桃 as the only measure word — usually say 一个桃子; 桃 alone often refers to the tree or appears in compounds

Origin & History

Phono-semantic: 木 (wood/tree radical) indicates it's a plant; 兆 (zhào) provides the phonetic component.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal