Chinese Character: 瓜
1. Character Basics
Radical: 瓜/guā (melon, gourd)
Stroke Count: 5
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Guā (First tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Melon; gourd; cucumber family
Extended Meaning: Fruit of cucurbitaceous plants;瓜类;瓜藤
4. Common Words
- 西瓜 (xī guā) - Watermelon
夏天我喜欢吃西瓜。(Xiàtiān wǒ xǐhuan chī xīguā.) - I like eating watermelon in summer.
- 南瓜 (nán guā) - Pumpkin; squash
妈妈做了南瓜汤。(Māma zuò le nánguā tāng.) - Mom made pumpkin soup.
- 黄瓜 (huáng guā) - Cucumber
我每天都吃黄瓜。(Wǒ měitiān dōu chī huángguā.) - I eat cucumbers every day.
- 苦瓜 (kǔ guā) - Bitter melon; bitter gourd
苦瓜虽然苦，但是很健康。(Kǔguā suīrán kǔ, dànshì hěn jiànkāng.) - Although bitter melon is bitter, it is very healthy.
- 瓜子 (guā zǐ) - Melon seeds
我喜欢嗑瓜子。(Wǒ xǐhuan kè guāzǐ.) - I like eating melon seeds.
5. Grammar & Usage
As a Noun:
- 指瓜类植物的果实 (refers to the fruit of cucurbitaceous plants): 瓜熟蒂落 (when the melon is ripe, the stem falls off), 瓜田李下 (in a melon field or under a plum tree - avoid suspicion)
- 指形状像瓜的东西 (refers to things shaped like a melon): 瓜皮帽 (melon-shaped hat), 瓜皮船 (small boat)
Common Structures:
- 瓜+名词 (melon+ noun): 瓜藤 (melon vine), 瓜瓤 (melon flesh)
- 形容词+瓜 (adjective+ melon): 甜瓜 (sweet melon), 香瓜 (fragrant melon)
- 瓜熟蒂落 (idiom): 比喻时机成熟，事情自然成功。(When the melon is ripe, the stem falls off - metaphor for things succeeding naturally when the time is right.)
6. Cultural Background
在中国文化中，"瓜"字有着丰富的象征意义。瓜类植物多子，因此常被用来象征多子多福。
In Chinese culture, the character "瓜" has rich symbolic meanings. Melon plants produce many seeds, so they are often used to symbolize fertility and good fortune.
"瓜熟蒂落"是中国传统的成语，比喻时机成熟，事情自然成功。它提醒人们做事情要顺应自然规律，不要急于求成。
"When the melon is ripe, the stem falls off" is a traditional Chinese idiom, metaphorically meaning that things will succeed naturally when the time is right. It reminds people to follow natural laws and not to rush for success.
此外，中国有悠久的种瓜历史，早在《诗经》中就有关于瓜的记载。瓜类植物在中国饮食文化中也占有重要地位，如西瓜、黄瓜、南瓜等都是常见的食材。
Furthermore, China has a long history of growing melons, with records of melons dating back to the "Book of Songs". Melon plants also occupy an important position in Chinese food culture, with watermelons, cucumbers, pumpkins, etc. being common ingredients.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
这个西瓜很甜。
Zhè ge xīguā hěn tián.
This watermelon is very sweet.
Example 2:
我们去买一些黄瓜吧。
Wǒmen qù mǎi yīxiē huángguā ba.
Let's go buy some cucumbers.
Example 3:
瓜熟蒂落，不要着急。
Guā shú dì luò, bùyào zháojí.
When the melon is ripe, the stem falls off; don't rush.
8. Memory Tips
1. Component Analysis: 瓜字本身就是一个部首，像藤蔓上结的瓜的形状。
2. Sound Association: 与"刮"(guā)同音，可以联想到刮瓜皮的动作。
3. Visual Image: 想象藤蔓上挂着一个大西瓜的样子。
4. Sentence Memory: 使用常用词组"西瓜"造句子：夏天吃西瓜很舒服。(Xiàtiān chī xīguā hěn shūfu.) - Eating watermelon in summer is very comfortable.