龍船 / 龙船
lóngchuán
The English phrase "dragon boat" is translated into Chinese as 龍船 / 龙船 (lóngchuán). Wiktionary also lists 龍舟 / 龙舟 (lóngzhōu).
Meaning: a type of boat raced in Chinese festivals (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 龍船 / 龙船 | lóngchuán |
| 龍舟 / 龙舟 | lóngzhōu |
The term refers to a type of boat raced in Chinese festivals.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 龍船 / 龙船 is composed of 龍 (dragon) and 船 (boat/ship). The term 龍舟 / 龙舟 is composed of 龍 (dragon) and 舟 (small boat/skiff).
How do you pronounce it?
lóngchuán
Did you know?
- During the festival, the 龍船 is often 'awakened' in a ceremony called 點睛. A painter applies pupils to the dragon's eyes to bring the boat to life.
- The phrase 龍舟 is used in the idiom 龍舟水, which refers to the heavy, torrential rains that typically occur around the time of the dragon boat races.
- In some southern Chinese traditions, the 龍船 is not just for racing but is seen as a deity. People may offer incense and prayers to the boat to ensure a good harvest and safety.
Examples in context
- 明天我们将观看一场精彩的龙舟比赛。Tomorrow we will watch a wonderful dragon boat race.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dragon boat” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
