果酱

• Pinyin: guǒ jiàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 果 = 田 (field) + 木 (tree), depicting fruit on a tree; 酱 = 酉 (wine vessel) + 将 (phonetic), meaning sauce

Meaning

Jam; fruit preserve. A sweet spread made from cooked fruit and sugar.

Common varieties in China include strawberry jam (草莓果酱), blueberry jam (蓝莓果酱), and orange marmalade (橙子果酱). Used as bread spread, dessert topping, or ingredient in baking. Western-style breakfast with toast and jam has become common in urban China.

Examples

1. 早餐我喜欢在面包上抹一层厚厚的草莓果酱。 For breakfast, I like to spread a thick layer of strawberry jam on my bread.
2. 奶奶自己做的杏子果酱比超市买的好吃多了，有一股天然的果香。 The apricot jam grandma makes herself is much tastier than what you buy at the supermarket, with a natural fruity aroma.
3. 这款蛋糕夹层用的是新鲜蓝莓果酱，口感酸甜适中。 This cake uses fresh blueberry jam between the layers, with a nicely balanced sweet and tangy taste.

Usage Guide

Context: food, cooking, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你要果酱还是黄油？(Do you want jam or butter?)
• 这瓶果酱已经过期了。(This jar of jam has already expired.)

Don't Say

• 把花生酱叫果酱 (Don't call peanut butter 果酱 — use 花生酱; 果酱 specifically means fruit-based jam)

Origin & History

Compound of 果 (fruit) + 酱 (sauce, paste). A direct descriptive term for fruit-based preserves.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal