china
fruit, Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico the fruit called an orange is china. The word naranja is the standard Spanish word, and the color is anaranjado.
Meaning: citrus fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| china | fruit, Puerto Rico |
| Naranja | standard |
| Anaranjado | color |
Say una china for the fruit, as in Me comí una china. For the color, say el color anaranjado.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Most Spanish speakers outside the island say naranja for the fruit. Puerto Ricans understand it but usually choose china.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful with capital letters. China with a capital C is the country, while china with a small c is the orange.
Did you know?
- Puerto Ricans say china for the fruit, so a native speaker will not be thinking of the country when you ask for una china.
Examples in context
- Me comí una china dulce.I ate a sweet orange.
- Compré cinco chinas en el mercado.I bought five oranges at the market.
- Su camisa es de color anaranjado.His shirt is orange.
Example conversation
Rafael and his aunt Nilda choose fruit at a stand along a road in Aibonito.
- RafaelTiti, ¿cuánto cuestan las chinas?Auntie, how much are the oranges?
- NildaDos dólares la bolsa.Two dollars a bag.
- RafaelLlevemos dos bolsas.Let us take two bags.
