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瓜子 (guā zǐ) — edible seeds (e.g. sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds), usually roasted and salted as a snack

Definition

Generic term for roasted, salted seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, watermelon) eaten as a casual snack. 核桃 specifically means walnut — a different, larger nut.

noun
edible seeds (e.g. sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds), usually roasted and salted as a snack
Measure word · 颗

Examples

  • 瓜子。
    Tā yì biān kàn diàn shì yì biān kè guā zǐ.
    She snacks on seeds while watching TV.
  • 瓜子。
    Zhè dài guā zǐ shì wǔ xiāng wèi r de.
    This bag of seeds has five-spice flavor.
  • ，瓜子。
    Kè rén lái le, wǒ duān shàng yì pán guā zǐ.
    When guests arrived, I brought out a plate of seeds.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

瓜guāmelon
子zǐseed

瓜 means melon and 子 means seed, so it names edible seeds from melons or similar plants.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 瓜 is drawn from a melon hanging from its vines, which matches its meaning.

Open 瓜 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Food (General)

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