椰枣
yēzǎo
The English phrase "date fruit" is translated into Chinese as 椰枣 (yēzǎo).
The term refers to the sweet, edible fruit of the date palm tree.
What does it mean word for word?
椰枣 is composed of 椰 (yē), meaning coconut and 枣 (zǎo), meaning jujube or date. Together, they describe the fruit of the date palm.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some northern regions of China, the informal term 枣儿 is used to refer to date fruit.
How do you pronounce it?
yēzǎo
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese culture, the word 枣 is a homophone for 'early'. This makes the fruit a symbolic gift during weddings to wish the couple an 'early' arrival of children.
- The word 椰 is applied to the date palm fruit simply because the date palm tree visually resembles a coconut palm tree.
- In Chinese culinary contexts, if you simply say 枣, people will often assume you are talking about the red jujube rather than the Middle Eastern date fruit. The extra character 椰 is essential to distinguish the two distinct species.
Examples in context
- 我很喜欢吃枣子。I really like to eat date fruits.
- 今晚妈妈做了红枣糕。Tonight, Mom made red date cake.
- 你想吃枣儿吗？Do you want to eat date fruits?
- 这些椰枣非常甜。zhè xiē yē zǎo fēi cháng tián.These date fruits are very sweet.
- 你想吃椰枣吗？nǐ xiǎng chī yē zǎo ma?Do you want to eat some date fruits?
- 我买了干椰枣。wǒ mǎi le gān yē zǎo.I bought some dried date fruits.
Example conversation
At a grocery store, Junjie and Xiaowen are picking out snacks.
- 俊杰 Junjie晓雯，你看这些椰枣新鲜吗？xiǎo wén, nǐ kàn zhè xiē yē zǎo xīn xiān ma?Xiaowen, do these date fruits look fresh to you?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen看起来很新鲜，可以试试。kàn qǐ lái hěn xīn xiān, kě yǐ shì shì.They look very fresh, we can try them.
- 俊杰 Junjie那我们就买一盒吧。nà wǒ men jiù mǎi yī hé ba.Then let's buy a box.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好的，俊杰。hǎo de, jùn jié.Okay, Junjie.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 椰枣, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
