瓜

guā

Definitions

guā (noun) melon; gourd; squash

Etymology

Depicts a melon hanging from a vine.

About

瓜 is an independent radical and pictograph, visually representing a trailing plant. Its outer strokes depict sprawling vines and broad leaves, while the central part shows the fruit hanging from the stem. The character means gourds, melons, squashes, or cucumbers. It serves as a base component for forming other characters related to creeping plants, fruits, or gourd-shaped objects.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢吃西瓜。

Wǒ xǐhuān chī xīguā.

I like to eat watermelon.

这个西瓜很甜。

Zhège xīguā hěn tián.

This watermelon is very sweet.

妈妈买了黄瓜和南瓜。

Māma mǎi le huángguā hé nánguā.

Mom bought cucumbers and pumpkins.

夏天我们常吃西瓜解渴。

Xiàtiān wǒmen cháng chī xīguā jiěkě.

In summer, we often eat watermelon to quench thirst.

他把西瓜切成小块分享。

Tā bǎ xīguā qiē chéng xiǎo kuài fēnxiǎng.

He cut the watermelon into small pieces to share.

瓜田里长满了绿色的藤蔓。

Guātián lǐ zhǎng mǎn le lǜsè de téngmàn.

The melon field is full of green vines.

虽然黄瓜是蔬菜，但常被当水果吃。

Suīrán huángguā shì shūcài, dàn cháng bèi dàng shuǐguǒ chī.

Although cucumbers are vegetables, they are often eaten as fruit.

由于气候适宜，今年的瓜类作物丰收了。

Yóuyú qìhòu shìyí, jīnnián de guā lèi zuòwù fēngshōu le.

Due to the suitable climate, this year's melon crops have had a bumper harvest.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 瓜

瓜