睡莲
shuìlián
The English phrase "water lily" is 睡莲 (shuìlián) in Chinese.
睡莲 refers to any members of the Nymphaeaceae family.
Meaning: Any members of Nymphaeaceae (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 睡 (shuì), meaning 'to sleep' and 莲 (lián), meaning 'lotus'.
How do you pronounce it?
shuìlián
Did you know?
- The term 睡 (shuì) describes how the flower petals close at night, mimicking a person sleeping.
- The word 莲 is a homophone for 'continuous' or 'successive' in certain contexts. Because of this, images of these flowers are often used in decorations to wish for a series of lucky events.
- There is a traditional Chinese belief that the seeds of the 莲 can clear heat from the body and are used in medicinal soups and desserts.
Examples in context
- 中国古代文学中，荷花经常被用来象征纯洁。In ancient Chinese literature, water lilies are often used to symbolize purity.
- 池塘里开满了睡莲。Chítáng lǐ kāimǎn le shuìlián.The pond is full of water lilies.
- 这朵睡莲非常漂亮。Zhè duǒ shuìlián fēicháng piàoliang.This water lily is very beautiful.
- 我喜欢粉红色的睡莲。Wǒ xǐhuān fěnhóng sè de shuìlián.I like pink water lilies.
Example conversation
A couple is walking through a botanical garden.
- 梓涵 Zihan你看，那边的睡莲真美！Nǐ kàn, nàbiān de shuìlián zhēn měi!Look, the water lilies over there are so beautiful!
- 志强 Zhiqiang确实，粉红色的睡莲很吸引人。Quèshí, fěnhóng sè de shuìlián hěn xīyǐn rén.Indeed, the pink water lilies are very attractive.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，我们去拍照吧。Zhìqiáng, wǒmen qù pāizhào ba.Zhiqiang, let's go take some photos.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，梓涵，我帮你拍。Hǎo, Zǐhán, wǒ bāng nǐ pāi.Okay, Zihan, I will take them for you.
