罂粟
yīngsù
The Chinese word for poppy is 罂粟 (yīngsù).
罂粟 refers to the poppy plant. Historically, this term has been associated specifically with the opium poppy plant.
Meaning: plant of the genus Papaver (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
yīngsù
Did you know?
- If you are looking for the edible poppy seeds used in baking, you should use different terms, as 罂粟 is almost exclusively associated with the narcotic variety.
- Because of the historical association with the Opium Wars, the word 罂粟 carries a much stronger social and political stigma in China than the word 'poppy' does in English.
- The character 罂 is rarely used in any other context outside of words relating to the poppy or ancient pottery vessels.
Examples in context
- 这种植物是罂粟。zhè zhǒng zhí wù shì yīng sù.This kind of plant is a poppy.
- 罂粟的生长速度很快。yīng sù de shēng zhǎng sù dù hěn kuài.The poppy grows very quickly.
- 我们在农场里看到了罂粟。wǒ men zài nóng chǎng lǐ kàn dào le yīng sù.We saw poppies in the farm.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a botanical book together.
- 俊杰 Junjie佳怡，你看，这是罂粟。Jiāyí, nǐ kàn, zhè shì yīngsù.Jiayi, look, this is a poppy.
- 佳怡 Jiayi它的颜色真亮。Tā de yánsè zhēn liàng.Its color is really bright.
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，但它很危险。Shì de, dàn tā hěn wēixiǎn.Yes, but it is very dangerous.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我明白了，谢谢俊杰。Wǒ míngbái le, xièxie Jùnjié.I understand, thank you Junjie.
