橘子

• Pinyin: jú zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 橘 = 木 + 矞 (citrus tree); 子 = noun suffix

Meaning

Tangerine; mandarin orange. A small, sweet citrus fruit widely popular in China, especially during the Spring Festival.

Associated with good fortune and prosperity in Chinese culture during the Lunar New Year. The pronunciation of 橘 is close to 吉 (auspicious), making it a popular gift during festive seasons.

Examples

1. 春节期间，家家户户都会摆上橘子，寓意吉祥如意、好运连连。 During the Spring Festival, every household puts out tangerines as a symbol of good fortune and continuous luck.
2. 他每天早上吃一个橘子，以补充维生素C，增强免疫力。 He eats a tangerine every morning to get vitamin C and strengthen his immune system.
3. 这批橘子皮薄肉甜、水分充足，是农民精心培育的优质品种。 This batch of tangerines has thin peel, sweet flesh, and lots of juice—an excellent variety carefully cultivated by farmers.

Usage Guide

Context: food, daily life, festivals

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个季节的橘子又甜又多汁，价格实惠，非常受欢迎。(The tangerines this season are sweet and juicy, affordable, and very popular.)
• 过年送橘子在南方许多地区是一种寓意吉祥的传统习俗。(Giving tangerines during the New Year is a traditional custom in many southern regions, symbolising good luck.)

Don't Say

• 我买了一些橘子水果 — redundant; 橘子 is already a fruit, no need to add 水果

Origin & History

橘 = citrus fruit tree; 子 = noun suffix

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal