Chinese
荔枝
Etymology
Unknown. First attested as 離支 in the “Rhapsody on the Shanglin Park ” (上林賦 ) by Sima Xiangru of the West Han dynasty . During the time of Emperor Wu of Han , lychee was one of the exotic plants cultivated in the grand imperial Shanglin Park, introduced from China's south.
Traditionally, 荔 has been interpreted as equivalent to 劙 (“to sever; to partition”), based on an excerpt from Funan-ji (扶南記 ), a now-lost text cited in other works, such as the Taiping Guangji (太平廣記 ):
荔枝 為 名 者 ,以 其 結實 時 ,枝條 弱 而 蒂 牢 ,不可 摘取 ,以 刀斧 劙 取 其 枝 ,故 以 為 名 。 [Literary Chinese , trad. ] 荔枝 为 名 者 ,以 其 结实 时 ,枝条 弱 而 蒂 牢 ,不可 摘取 ,以 刀斧 劙 取 其 枝 ,故 以 为 名 。 [Literary Chinese , simp. ] From: Taiping Guangji (Extensive Records of the Taiping Era ), 978 CE Lìzhī wéi míng zhě, yǐ qí jiéshí shí, zhītiáo ruò ér dì láo, bùkě zhāiqǔ, yǐ dāofǔ lí qǔ qí zhī, gù yǐ wéi míng. [Pinyin] That which bears the name lizhi , when it bears fruits, the small branches are weak but the stem is firm, so it cannot be picked by hand and must be severed with a knife or axe, hence its name.
The Compendium of Materia Medica , citing the “Preface to Lychee Painting” (荔枝圖序 ) by Bai Juyi , interprets 離支 orthographically:
白 居 易 云 :若 離 本 枝 ,一 日 色 變 ,三 日 味 變 。則 離支 之 名 ,又 或 取 此 義 也 。 [Literary Chinese , trad. ] 白 居 易 云 :若 离 本 枝 ,一 日 色 变 ,三 日 味 变 。则 离支 之 名 ,又 或 取 此 义 也 。 [Literary Chinese , simp. ] From: The Compendium of Materia Medica [Bencao Gangmu], by Li Shizhen , 1578 CE Bái Jūyì yún: ruò lí běn zhī, yī rì sè biàn, sān rì wèi biàn. Zé lìzhī zhī míng, yòu huò qǔ cǐ yì yě. [Pinyin] Bai Juyi said, “If it [lychee] was removed from the branch, its colour will change in a day, its taste in three days.” So the name lizhi [lit. “removed from branch”] may be chosen for this meaning.
Recent studies have discounted the above as folk etymologies, proposing instead that it is a disyllabic borrowing from a Kra-Dai language during the Late Old Chinese period; compare modern Zhuang laehcei , Tai Nüa ᥛᥣᥐᥱᥐᥣᥭᥱ ( mǎakkǎay ) , Hlai coeis (Wei, 2000 ; Ban and Su, 2017 ). The precise shape of the source word is now obscure, and there are two possibilities that can explain the disyllabicity of the borrowing (Ban and Su, 2017 ):
That the first syllable transcribed a Tai-Kadai class noun (perhaps “fruit”), and the second syllable, 枝 (OC *kje ), corresponded to the Tai-Kadai name for “lychee”; or
That the Tai-Kadai source word for “lychee” was disyllabic and already not easily analysable.
Pronunciation
Lua error in Module:wuu-pron at line 169 : Invalid final: "r"
Noun
荔枝
(deprecated template usage ) 荔枝
lychee ( Litchi chinensis ) (Classifier : 顆 / 颗 m ; 粒 c mn ; 抽 c )
Synonyms
Dialectal synonyms of
荔枝 (“lychee”)
[map]
Variety
Location
Words
Classical Chinese
荔枝 , 荔子 , 丹荔 , 香囊 figurative
Formal (Written Standard Chinese )
荔枝
Taxonomic name
荔枝
Northeastern Mandarin
Beijing
荔枝
Taiwan
荔枝
Harbin
荔枝
Singapore
荔枝
Jilu Mandarin
Jinan
荔枝
Jiaoliao Mandarin
Yantai (Muping)
荔枝
Central Plains Mandarin
Luoyang
荔枝
Xi'an
荔枝
Xining
荔枝
Xuzhou
荔枝 , 錦荔枝
Lanyin Mandarin
Lanzhou
荔枝
Southwestern Mandarin
Chengdu
荔枝
Wuhan
荔枝
Guiyang
荔枝
Guilin
荔枝
Liuzhou
荔枝 , 荔枝果
Nanning (Wuming)
荔枝
Dagudi (Maliba)
荔枝
Reshuitang (Longling)
荔枝
Mae Salong (Lancang)
荔枝
Mae Sai (Tengchong)
荔枝
Jianghuai Mandarin
Nanjing
荔枝
Yangzhou
荔枝
Cantonese
Guangzhou
荔枝
Hong Kong
荔枝
Hong Kong (San Tin Weitou)
荔枝
Hong Kong (Kam Tin Weitou)
荔枝
Hong Kong (Ting Kok)
荔枝
Hong Kong (Tung Ping Chau)
荔枝
Macau
荔枝
Guangzhou (Panyu)
荔枝
Guangzhou (Huashan, Huadu)
荔枝
Guangzhou (Conghua)
荔枝
Guangzhou (Zengcheng)
荔枝
Foshan
荔枝
Foshan (Shatou, Nanhai)
荔枝
Foshan (Shunde)
荔枝
Foshan (Sanshui)
荔枝
Foshan (Mingcheng, Gaoming)
荔枝
Zhongshan (Shiqi)
荔枝
Zhuhai (Qianshan, Xiangzhou)
荔枝
Zhuhai (Shangheng, Doumen; Tanka)
荔枝
Zhuhai (Doumen)
荔枝
Jiangmen (Baisha)
荔枝
Jiangmen (Xinhui)
荔枝
Taishan
荔枝
Kaiping (Chikan)
荔枝
Enping (Niujiang)
荔枝
Heshan (Yayao)
荔枝
Dongguan
荔枝
Shenzhen (Shajing, Bao'an)
荔枝
Qingyuan
荔枝
Fogang
荔枝
Yingde (Hanguang)
荔枝
Yangshan
荔枝
Lianshan (Butian)
荔枝
Lianzhou (Qingshui Sihui)
荔枝
Shaoguan
荔枝
Shaoguan (Qujiang)
荔枝
Renhua
荔枝
Lechang
荔枝
Zhaoqing (Gaoyao)
荔枝
Sihui
荔枝
Guangning
荔枝
Deqing
荔枝
Huaiji
荔枝
Fengkai (Nanfeng)
荔枝
Yunfu
荔枝
Xinxing
荔枝
Luoding
荔枝
Yunan (Pingtai)
荔枝
Xinyi
荔枝
Lianjiang
荔枝
Nanning
荔枝
Wuzhou
荔枝
Yulin
荔枝子
Rongxian
荔枝
Hepu (Lianzhou)
荔枝
Hepu (Shatian)
荔枝
Guiping
荔枝
Guiping (Mule)
荔枝
Pingnan
荔枝
Guigang (Gangcheng)
荔枝
Guigang (Pingdong)
荔枝
Baise
荔枝
Beihai
荔枝
Beihai (Nankang)
荔枝
Beihai (Yingpan)
荔枝
Beihai (Qiaogang - Cô Tô)
荔枝
Beihai (Qiaogang - Cát Bà)
荔枝
Fangchenggang (Fangcheng)
荔枝
Danzhou
荔枝
Kuala Lumpur (Guangfu)
荔枝
Singapore (Guangfu)
荔枝
Ho Chi Minh City (Guangfu)
荔枝
Móng Cái
荔枝
Bangkok (Guangfu)
荔枝
Betong (Rongxian)
荔枝
Gan
Nanchang
荔枝
Pengze
荔枝
Lichuan
元紅
Pingxiang
荔枝
Hakka
Meixian
荔果
Xingning
荔果哩
Dabu (Xihe)
荔枝
Huizhou (Huicheng Bendihua)
荔果
Huizhou (Shuikou Bendihua)
荔果
Huizhou (Hengli Bendihua)
荔果
Huiyang
荔果
Huidong (Pingshan Bendihua)
荔果
Dongguan (Qingxi)
荔果
Longmen (Pingling Bendihua)
荔果
Longmen (Luxi Bendihua)
荔果
Boluo (Bendihua)
荔果
Shenzhen (Shatoujiao)
荔果
Zengcheng (Zhengguo)
荔果
Zhongshan (Nanlang Heshui)
荔枝
Wuhua (Shuizhai)
大果
Wuhua (Huacheng)
荔果 , 荔枝
Wuhua (Changbu)
荔果
Wuhua (Mianyang)
荔果
Heyuan (Bendihua)
荔果
Zijin (Guzhu Bendihua)
荔枝
Longchuan (Tuocheng Bendihua)
荔枝
Longchuan (Sidu Bendihua)
荔枝
Heping (Linzhai Bendihua)
荔枝
Lianping (Zhongxin Bendihua)
荔枝
Lianping (Longjie Bendihua)
荔枝
Xinfeng (Matou Bendihua)
荔枝
Xinfeng (Daxi Bendihua)
荔枝
Guangzhou (Lütian, Conghua)
荔枝
Jiexi
荔果
Luhe
荔枝
Raoping (Xinfeng)
荷包
Changting
荔枝
Longyan (Yongding)
荔枝
Longyan (Xiayang, Yongding)
荔枝
Longyan (Gaobei, Yongding)
荔枝
Longyan (Hukeng, Yongding)
荔枝
Liancheng (Peitian)
荔枝
Liancheng (Zhongbao)
荔枝
Liancheng (Laiyuan)
荔枝
Miaoli (N. Sixian)
荔枝
Miaoli (Zaoqiao; N. Sixian)
荔枝
Miaoli (Touwu; N. Sixian)
荔枝
Miaoli (Nanzhuang; N. Sixian)
荔枝
Miaoli (Shitan; N. Sixian)
荔枝
Miaoli (Sanwan; N. Sixian)
荔枝
Miaoli (Toufen; N. Sixian)
荔枝
Miaoli (Gongguan; N. Sixian)
荔枝
Miaoli (Zhuolan; N. Sixian)
荔枝
Pingtung (Neipu; S. Sixian)
荔果
Pingtung (Wuluo, Ligang; S. Sixian)
荔枝
Kaohsiung (Meinong; S. Sixian)
荔果
Kaohsiung (Shanlin; S. Sixian)
荔枝 , 荔果
Hsinchu County (Zhudong; Hailu)
荔枝
Taichung (Dongshi; Dabu)
荔枝
Hsinchu County (Qionglin; Raoping)
荔枝
Miaoli (Zhuolan; Raoping)
荔枝
Yunlin (Lunbei; Zhao'an)
荔枝
Nantou (Guoxing; Lufeng)
荔果 , 荔枝
Hong Kong
荔果
Luchuan (Daqiao)
荔枝
Sabah (Longchuan)
荔枝
Kuala Lumpur (Dabu)
荔枝
Senai (Huiyang)
荔枝
Singkawang
荔枝
Bangkok (Meixian)
荔枝
Bangkok (Fengshun)
荔枝 , 荔果
Bangkok (Jiexi)
荔果
Huizhou
Jixi
荔枝
Jin
Taiyuan
荔枝
Xinzhou
荔枝
Northern Min
Jian'ou
荔枝
Eastern Min
Fuzhou
荔枝
Fuqing
荔枝
Matsu
荔枝
Southern Min
Xiamen
荔枝
Quanzhou
荔枝
Zhangzhou
荔枝
Pinghe
荔珠仔
Yunxiao
綠荷包
Zhao'an
荔果
Dongshan
尿壺包
Taipei
荔枝
New Taipei (Sanxia)
荔枝
Kaohsiung
荔枝
Yilan
荔枝
Changhua (Lukang)
荔枝
Taichung
荔枝
Taichung (Wuqi)
荔枝
Tainan
荔枝
Taitung
荔枝
Hsinchu
荔枝
Kinmen
荔枝
Penghu (Magong)
荔枝
Penang (Hokkien)
荔枝
Singapore (Hokkien)
荔枝
Manila (Hokkien)
荔枝
Zhangping (Yongfu)
荔枝
Datian
荔枝
Pingnan (Shangdu)
荔枝
Chaozhou
荔果
Shantou
荔果
Shantou (Chenghai)
荔果
Shantou (Chaoyang)
荔果
Nan'ao (Houzhai)
荔果
Nan'ao (Yun'ao)
烏箬
Jieyang
荔果
Haifeng
荔果
Bangkok (Teochew)
荔果
Chiang Mai (Teochew)
荔果
Hat Yai (Teochew)
荔果
Johor Bahru (Teochew)
荔枝
Singapore (Teochew)
荔果
Pontianak (Teochew)
荔枝
Leizhou
麻籽
Wenchang
荔枝
Haikou
荔枝
Puxian Min
Putian
荔枝
Putian (Donghai, Chengxiang)
荔枝
Xianyou
荔枝
Central Min
Yong'an
荔枝
Shaojiang Min
Shaowu
荔枝
Zhongshan Min
Zhongshan (Longdu, Shaxi)
火山 , 荔枝
Zhongshan (Sanxiang)
荔枝
Southern Pinghua
Nanning (Tingzi)
荔枝
Northern Pinghua
Guilin (Dahe)
荔枝
Wu
Shanghai
麻荔子 , 荔枝
Shanghai (Songjiang)
荔枝 , 麻荔子
Shanghai (Zhoupu, Pudong)
荔枝 , 麻荔子
Shanghai (Jiading)
荔枝 , 麻荔子
Shanghai (Shuangcaodun, Baoshan)
荔枝
Shanghai (Luodian, Baoshan)
麻荔子
Suzhou
荔枝
Suzhou (Lili, Wujiang)
荔枝
Suzhou (Shengze, Wujiang)
荔枝
Wuxi
荔枝
Changshu
荔枝
Kunshan
荔枝
Jiaxing
荔枝
Changzhou
荔枝
Liyang
荔枝
Danyang
荔枝
Danyang (Tongjiaqiao)
荔枝
Jingjiang
荔枝
Jiangyin
荔枝
Huzhou (Shuanglin)
毛荔枝
Hangzhou
荔枝
Shaoxing
荔枝
Zhuji (Wangjiajing)
荔枝
Shengzhou (Chongren)
荔枝
Shengzhou (Taiping)
荔枝
Ningbo
荔枝
Yuyao
荔枝
Taizhou (Huangyan)
荔枝
Wenzhou
荔枝
Quzhou
荔枝
Jinhua
荔枝
Yongkang
荔枝
Xiang
Changsha
荔枝
Loudi
荔枝
Quanzhou
荔枝
Hyponyms
Hypernyms
Derived terms
Lua error in Module:zh/templates at line 32 : This template has been deprecated. Please use Template:col3 instead.
Descendants
Others :
(deprecated template usage )