蓮 / 莲
lián
The Chinese word for lotus is 蓮 / 莲 (lián). Wiktionary also lists 蓮花 / 莲花 (liánhuā).
Meaning: plant of the genus Nelumbo (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 蓮 / 莲 | lián |
| 蓮花 / 莲花 | liánhuā |
This term refers to the plant of the genus Nelumbo.
Which one should you use?
While 蓮 / 莲 is a general term, 蓮花 / 莲花 is the standard formal term used to refer specifically to the lotus flower. Additionally, 荷花 / 荷花 is a very common synonym used to mean lotus, particularly in mainland China.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The synonym 荷花 / 荷花 is very common in mainland China.
How do you pronounce it?
lián
When do people say it?
In Chinese culture, the lotus is a symbol of purity and elegance because it rises from the mud but remains unstained.
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word 蓮 / 莲 is a homophone for 'continuous' or 'successive' 連 / 连, making the flower a symbol of continuity in families and lineage.
- The botanical part of the plant that people often eat, the rhizome, is called 藕 / 藕 in Chinese and is a staple in many regional stir-fry dishes.
- In many Chinese names, the character 蓮 / 莲 is chosen to imbue the person with qualities of elegance and refinement.
Examples in context
- 在中国传统文化中，莲花象征着纯洁和美丽。In traditional Chinese culture, the lotus symbolizes purity and beauty.
- 我们去了一个美丽的湖边，看到了许多荷花。We went to a beautiful lakeside and saw many lotus flowers.
- 在他家后院的池塘中有很多水蓮。There are many lotus flowers in the pond in his backyard.
- 他喜歡蓮花。He likes lotus flowers.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lotus” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
