糖果
tángguǒ
In Chinese, the English phrase 'candy' is expressed as 糖果 (tángguǒ). If unsure, use 糖果. Wiktionary also lists 糖 (táng).
Meaning: piece of candy (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 糖果 | tángguǒ |
| 糖 | táng |
The term 糖果 is used to refer to the general category of confectionery. The shorter form 糖 can mean either 'candy' or the substance 'sugar', so the context of your sentence is important. In a culinary context, 糖 is most commonly used to refer to the ingredient sugar.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 糖果 (tángguǒ) literally means 'sugar product', composed of 糖 (sugar) and 果 (fruit/result/product).
Which one should you use?
While 糖果 specifically refers to the category of confectionery, the shorter form 糖 can mean both 'candy' and the substance 'sugar' depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting individual pieces of candy, the classifier 一颗 (yī kē) is commonly used.
How do you pronounce it?
tángguǒ
Did you know?
- The character 糖 is built using the radical for 'rice' (米), reflecting its ancient connection to rice-based sweets.
- The classifier 颗 used for counting 糖果 is also used for pearls and stars. This suggests that the speaker views the candy as a small and round object.
- In China, giving 糖果 as a gift during weddings or festivals often symbolizes the wish for a 'sweet' and happy life for the recipient.
Examples in context
- 他們賣糖果。They sell candy.This sentence is useful for describing the action of selling 糖果.Tatoeba #6103157 by verdastelo9604, translation #2243313 by CK
- 我們想要糖。We want candy.This sentence shows how 糖 can be used to mean 'candy'.Tatoeba #6111716 by verdastelo9604, translation #2011284 by CK
- 我把蔬菜在煎鍋裡糖漬。I candy the vegetables in the frying pan.This sentence demonstrates the use of 糖 in a culinary context.Tatoeba #13556454 by LeviHighway, translation #10038794 by espamatics
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
浩然 shares his snacks with 梓涵 in the classroom.
- 浩然 Haoran梓涵，妳要吃糖果嗎？Zǐhán, nǐ yào chī tángguǒ ma?Zihan, do you want to eat some candy?
- 梓涵 Zihan好啊，謝謝浩然。Hǎo a, xièxiè Hàorán.Sure, thanks Haoran.
- 浩然 Haoran這款糖果味道不錯。Zhè kuǎn tángguǒ wèidào bùcuò.This kind of candy tastes good.
- 梓涵 Zihan真的，我也很喜歡。Zhēn de, wǒ yě hěn xǐhuān.Really, I like it too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “candy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 糖, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
