漆树
qīshù
The English word sumac is translated into Mandarin as 漆树 (qīshù).
Meaning: sour spice (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
qīshù
Did you know?
- The sap from the 漆树 contains urushiol, the same allergen found in poison ivy, meaning many people in China develop a severe skin rash when handling the tree.
- The Chinese name 漆树, qīshù, literally means 'lacquer tree', which refers to the plant's ability to produce a resin used for traditional coatings.
- The character 漆 in 漆树 is also used as a common adjective in Mandarin to describe an extremely deep or glossy black color.
Example conversation
Two friends are cooking a Middle Eastern dish together.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen俊杰，这个红色的粉末是什么？Jùnjié, zhège hóngsè de fěnmò shì shénme?Junjie, what is this red powder?
- 俊杰 Junjie这是漆树，一种酸酸的调料。Zhè shì qīshù, yī zhǒng suānsuān de tiáoliào.This is sumac, a sour seasoning.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen它闻起来很特别。Tā wén qǐlái hěn tèbié.It smells very unique.
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，晓雯，把它撒在肉上吧。Shì de, Xiǎowén, bǎ tā sā zài ròu shàng ba.Yes, Xiaowen, sprinkle it on the meat.
