龙舌兰酒
lóngshélánjiǔ
The English word "tequila" is translated into Chinese as 龙舌兰酒 (lóngshélánjiǔ).
龙舌兰酒 is used to refer to the agave liquor known as tequila.
Meaning: liquor (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 龙舌兰酒 is a compound consisting of 龙舌兰 (agave or dragon tongue orchid) and 酒 (liquor or alcohol).
How do you pronounce it?
lóngshélánjiǔ
Did you know?
- Chinese speakers often associate 龙舌兰酒 with the 'shot' culture of the West, even though traditional Chinese drinking culture typically involves small pours of 白酒 (baijiu) over a long meal.
- The term 龙舌兰 follows a pattern in Chinese where exotic or strange-looking plants are often named after 'dragons'.
- While 'tequila' in English specifically refers to the spirit from the town of Tequila, the Chinese term 龙舌兰酒 is a general descriptor for any agave-based spirit, including mezcal.
Examples in context
- 请给我一杯龙舌兰酒Please give me a glass of tequila
- 来一杯特基拉Give me a glass of tequila
- 我不想喝龙舌兰酒。Wǒ bù xiǎng hē lóngxiélánjiǔ.I don't want to drink tequila.
- 这种龙舌兰酒的味道很浓。Zhè zhǒng lóngxiélánjiǔ de wèidào hěn nóng.The taste of this tequila is very strong.
- 请给我一杯龙舌兰酒。Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi lóngxiélánjiǔ.Please give me a glass of tequila.
Example conversation
A couple is sitting at a bar during a party.
- 志强 Zhiqiang晓雯，你想喝龙舌兰酒吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ xiǎng hē lóngxiélánjiǔ ma?Xiaowen, do you want to drink tequila?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen不，我还是喝可乐吧。Bù, wǒ háishì hē kělè ba.No, I would rather drink cola.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好的，那我也喝可乐。Hǎo de, nà wǒ yě hē kělè.Okay, then I will drink cola too.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，我们可以点点心了。Zhìqiáng, wǒmen kěyǐ diǎn diǎnxīn le.Zhiqiang, we can order some snacks now.
