石榴
shíliú
The English word pomegranate is translated into Chinese as 石榴 (shíliú). If unsure, use 石榴. Wiktionary also lists 榴 (liú).
Meaning: fruit of the Punica granatum (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 石榴 | shíliú |
| 榴 | liú |
The word refers to the fruit of the Punica granatum.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 石榴 is composed of 石 (shí), meaning 'stone' and 榴 (liú), which is the specific character for pomegranate.
Which one should you use?
While 榴 (liú) is the core character for pomegranate, it is almost always used in its full two-character form 石榴 (shíliú) when referring to the fruit.
How do you pronounce it?
shíliú
Did you know?
- The Chinese term 石榴 is a 'wanderwort', meaning its sounds traveled across different languages along trade routes, closely mirroring the Arabic word rummān.
- Because pomegranates are associated with fertility, images of 石榴 are frequently found on traditional wedding decorations and gifts in China.
Examples in context
- 你买石榴汁了吗？Did you buy the pomegranate juice?This sentence is useful for asking about buying 榴 juice.Tatoeba #9007543 by jacintoo, translation #450717 by CM
- 我午餐吃了蘋果、梨子和石榴。My lunch was an apple and pears and pomegranate.This sentence is useful for listing 榴 among other fruits eaten for lunch.Tatoeba #13893786 by LeviHighway, translation #1792162 by madghis
- 你们家有石榴儿吗？Do you have any pomegranates at home?
- 这种石榴非常甜。Zhè zhǒng shíliu fēicháng tián.This kind of pomegranate is very sweet.
Example conversation
At a fruit market, a woman asks a man about a fruit.
- 雨婷 Yuting这些石榴多少钱一斤？Zhèxiē shíliu duōshǎo qián yì jīn?How much are these pomegranates per half kilogram?
- 俊杰 Junjie十块钱一斤，非常新鲜。Shí kuài qián yì jīn, fēicháng xīnxiān.Ten yuan per half kilogram, they are very fresh.
- 雨婷 Yuting那给我拿两斤吧。Nà gěi wǒ ná liǎng jīn ba.Then give me one kilogram.
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，请稍等。Hǎo de, qǐng shāoděng.Okay, please wait a moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pomegranate” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 榴, 石榴, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
