柠檬水
níngméngshuǐ
The English word "lemonade" is translated into Chinese as 柠檬水 (níngméngshuǐ).
柠檬水 refers to a still beverage made from lemons.
Meaning: still beverage (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of 柠檬 (lemon) and 水 (water).
Which one should you use?
If the drink is specifically concentrated lemon juice rather than a diluted beverage, use 柠檬汁 instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern China, lemonade is referred to as 柠檬水.
How do you pronounce it?
níngméngshuǐ
Did you know?
- Chinese speakers use the term 柠檬精 (lemon essence/spirit) as internet slang to describe someone who is jealous of others' happiness.
- The word 柠檬 is a loanword derived from the Portuguese word 'limão'. It is an example of how early maritime trade influenced the names of citrus fruits in Chinese.
- In China, 柠檬水 is often served hot as a soothing remedy for sore throats and coughs. This differs from the Western custom of drinking lemonade almost exclusively as a chilled beverage.
Examples in context
- 我想要一杯柠檬水I want a glass of lemonade
- 我想喝柠檬水。Wǒ xiǎng hē níngméngshuǐ.I want to drink lemonade.
- 这杯柠檬水太甜了。Zhè bēi níngméngshuǐ tài tián le.This cup of lemonade is too sweet.
- 请给我一杯柠檬水。Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi níngméngshuǐ.Please give me a cup of lemonade.
Example conversation
Haoran and Xiaowen are at a cafe.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，你想喝什么？Xiǎowén, nǐ xiǎng hē shénme?Xiaowen, what do you want to drink?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我想点一杯柠檬水。Wǒ xiǎng diǎn yì bēi níngméngshuǐ.I want to order a lemonade.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，我也要一杯。Hǎo de, wǒ yě yào yì bēi.Okay, I want one too.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen太好了，谢谢浩然。Tài hǎo le, xièxiè Hàorán.Great, thank you Haoran.
