薄荷
bòhe
Peppermint in Chinese is 薄荷 (bòhe). Wiktionary also lists 胡椒薄荷 (hújiāo bòhe).
Meaning: herb (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 薄荷 | bòhe |
| 胡椒薄荷 | hújiāo bòhe |
The term refers to the herb known as peppermint. To specify the flavor of the herb, you can add the character 味 (flavor) after the word, creating 薄荷味 (peppermint flavor).
What does it mean word for word?
The more specific term 胡椒薄荷 literally translates to 'pepper mint'.
Which one should you use?
薄荷 is the general term for mint and is the most common way to say peppermint. 胡椒薄荷 is a more specific term that refers specifically to peppermint, though the two can be used interchangeably.
How do you pronounce it?
bòhe
Did you know?
- The term 胡椒 (pepper) in the specific name 胡椒薄荷 is actually a historical way to denote 'foreign' or 'exotic' goods, rather than describing a spicy heat.
- The character 薄 in 薄荷 literally means 'thin', which refers to the thinness of the leaves rather than the intensity of the flavor.
- In China, mint is often used as a tea rather than a candy, and it is frequently paired with other herbs to balance its 'cool' nature.
Examples in context
- 這個漱口水的薄荷味太重了。The peppermint flavor in this mouthwash is too strong.This sentence is useful for describing the strength of a peppermint flavor in a product using 薄荷.Tatoeba #9049749 by xjjAstrus, translation #10251213 by bekindtoall
- 我想来一杯薄荷茶。I would like a cup of peppermint tea.
- 这个有没有薄荷？Does this have peppermint in it?
- 我超喜欢薄荷的。I really love peppermint.
- 我喜歡喝薄荷茶。Wǒ xǐhuān hē bòhe chá.I like drinking peppermint tea.
- 這種薄荷的味道很清爽。Zhè zhǒng bòhe de wèidào hěn qīngshuǎng.This kind of peppermint taste is very refreshing.
Example conversation
At a tea shop, Zhiqiang is choosing a drink.
- 志强 Zhiqiang這有沒有薄荷口味的茶？Zhè yǒu méiyǒu bòhe kǒuwèi de chá?Do you have any peppermint flavored tea?
- 佳怡 Jiayi有的，這裡有薄荷茶。Yǒu de, zhèlǐ yǒu bòhe chá.Yes, we have peppermint tea here.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我要一杯薄荷茶。Nà wǒ yào yī bēi bòhe chá.Then I will have a cup of peppermint tea.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好的，請稍等。Hǎo de, qǐng shāo děng.Okay, please wait a moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “peppermint” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
