乌龙茶
wūlóngchá
Oolong tea in Chinese is 乌龙茶 (wūlóngchá).
In casual conversation, speakers often shorten the term to just 乌龙.
Meaning: type of tea (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 乌龙 (wūlóng) literally means 'black dragon'.
Which one should you use?
The shortened form 乌龙 is frequently used in informal settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwanese, the term 烏龍茶 (bô·-lông tê) is also commonly used.
How do you pronounce it?
wūlóngchá
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese slang, the term 乌龙 (wūlóng) has evolved from the name of the tea to mean a 'gaffe' or a 'mess up'. This is often used when someone makes a silly mistake or a blunder.
- The phrase 乌龙 is famously used in the expression 乌龙球 (wūlóng qiú), which refers to an 'own goal' in football. This describes a player accidentally scoring against their own team.
- Some traditional legends claim that the 'black dragon' in 乌龙茶 refers to a dragon that descended to earth to help a farmer, who then discovered the tea plant.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢喝乌龙茶，它有一种独特的口味。I love oolong tea. It has a unique flavor.
- 请把乌龙茶递给我好吗？Could you please pass me some oolong tea?
- 这杯乌龙茶很香。Zhè bēi wūlóngchá hěn xiāng.This cup of oolong tea is very fragrant.
- 你会泡乌龙茶吗？Nǐ huì pào wūlóngchá ma?Do you know how to brew oolong tea?
Example conversation
A man and a woman are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，你想喝什么？Hàorán, nǐ xiǎng hē shénme?Haoran, what do you want to drink?
- 浩然 Haoran我想喝乌龙茶。Wǒ xiǎng hē wūlóngchá.I want to drink oolong tea.
- 雨婷 Yuting那我也点一杯乌龙茶。Nà wǒ yě diǎn yì bēi wūlóngchá.Then I will also order a cup of oolong tea.
- 浩然 Haoran好的。Hǎo de.Okay.
