蕉 (jiāo) - Banana — refers to the banana plant and & also used in names for certain plant varieties.

蕉Tone 1

jiāo ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

蕉 · jiāo

Banana — refers to the banana plant and its fruit;

also used in names for certain plant varieties.

Banana — refers to the banana plant andalso used in names for certain plant varieties.

Usage highlights

BananaBanana plantBanana leafPlantainBanana plantationDwarf banana

Synonyms

  • 香蕉— Banana (common term)
  • 芭蕉— Plantain or Japanese banana

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I ate a banana (香蕉).
  • Banana leaves are large and green (香蕉叶).
  • This is a plantain (大蕉).
  • She likes banana milk (香蕉牛奶).

Collocations

  • Banana(香蕉)
  • Banana plant(香蕉树)
  • Banana leaf(蕉叶)
  • Plantain(大蕉)
  • Banana plantation(蕉园)
  • Dwarf banana(米蕉)

Idioms

  • Like a banana tree in the wind — describes someone who appears strong but is actually weak(色厉内荏)
  • The banana leaf umbrella — makeshift shelter(蕉叶伞)
  • Banana grove in the rain — poetic imagery(雨打芭蕉)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Bananas have been cultivated in Southern China for over 2000 years.
  • In Chinese art, banana leaves often appear in garden paintings and poetry as symbols of leisure and natural beauty.
  • The character appears in the name of the legendary 'Plantain Cave' from Journey to the West.

FAQ