Lemon is a sour, yellow citrus fruit used to add flavor to food and drinks.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A sour, yellow citrus fruit.
- Used for flavoring drinks and food.
- Rich in Vitamin C.
Overview
柠檬（níngméng）是一种常见的柑橘类水果，以其独特的酸味和明亮的黄色而闻名。它富含维生素C，常被用于食品和饮料的调味，也能为菜肴增添清新的风味。在中国，柠檬虽然不像在西方国家那样被广泛地直接食用，但它在饮品、甜点制作和一些家常菜中扮演着重要角色。
柠檬主要用作调味品。它可以被榨成柠檬汁，加入水中制作成清爽的柠檬水，这是最常见的用法之一。柠檬片也常用于装饰饮品，增添香气和视觉吸引力。在烹饪中，柠檬汁可以用来给鱼、鸡肉等食材去腥，或者在沙拉中制作酸甜的酱汁。此外，柠檬皮屑也常用于烘焙，为蛋糕、饼干等增添独特的香气。
你可以在咖啡馆、餐厅的饮品菜单上看到柠檬水的选项。在家庭厨房里，很多人会购买柠檬来泡水喝，或者在做菜时使用。超市的水果区是购买柠檬最常见的地方。甜品店的柠檬挞、柠檬蛋糕也是常见的柠檬制品。
与柠檬相似的水果包括橙子（chéngzi）和青柠（qīngníng）。橙子通常味道偏甜，带有清香，但酸度较低。青柠（Lime）在外观和味道上与柠檬非常相似，但通常体积更小，味道更酸，有时带有一丝苦涩，在一些热带饮品和菜肴中更常用。
Examples
夏天来一杯冰镇柠檬水真是太解渴了。
everydayA glass of iced lemon water in summer is so refreshing and thirst-quenching.
厨师在烹饪海鲜时加入少许柠檬汁，以去除腥味并提升风味。
culinaryThe chef added a little lemon juice when cooking seafood to remove any fishy smell and enhance the flavor.
这个柠檬挞的味道非常棒，酸甜适中。
foodThis lemon tart tastes wonderful, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour.
研究表明，柠檬中的维生素C对人体健康有益。
healthStudies show that the Vitamin C in lemons is beneficial for human health.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
柠檬水
Lemon water
柠檬汁
Lemon juice
酸甜可口
Sweet and sour and delicious
Often Confused With
Lime (青柠) is often smaller and has a more intense, sometimes slightly bitter sourness compared to lemon. While both are sour citrus fruits, limes are frequently used in specific cocktails and cuisines, particularly in tropical regions.
Orange (橙子) is typically much sweeter than lemon, with a less pronounced sourness. Its flavor profile is generally milder and more palatable for direct consumption in larger quantities.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Lemon is primarily used as a flavoring agent rather than eaten whole due to its intense sourness. It's versatile, appearing in beverages, desserts, and savory dishes. In many cultures, it's associated with freshness and cleansing.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistake lime for lemon, although they have distinct flavor profiles. Also, underestimating the sourness and attempting to eat it raw in large quantities is uncommon and often unpleasant.
Tips
Use Lemon for Freshness
Add lemon juice or slices to water, tea, or dishes to impart a fresh, zesty flavor.
Be Mindful of Acidity
Lemon is very sour. Avoid consuming large amounts directly, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.
Lemon in Chinese Cuisine
While not a staple fruit for direct consumption, lemon is valued for its ability to balance richness and cut through greasiness in dishes.
Word Origin
The word 'lemon' likely entered English from Old French 'limon', possibly derived from Arabic 'laymūn' or Persian 'līmū', terms for citrus fruits. The exact origin is complex, tracing back through various trade routes.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, while not as central as in Western cultures, lemon is appreciated for its refreshing qualities and its use in traditional remedies for colds. It's also a popular ingredient in modern cafes and bakeries.
Memory Tip
Think of 'lemon' sounding like 'lemme know' if you want something refreshing and sour to drink!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions柠檬最常见的用途是制作饮品，比如柠檬水。它也常被用作烹饪和烘焙的调味料，给食物增添酸味和清香。
柠檬的味道非常酸，这是它最显著的特点。但也带有柑橘类特有的清新香味。
柠檬富含维生素C，有助于增强免疫力，并具有抗氧化作用。它也含有柠檬酸等有机酸。
在中国，直接生吃柠檬的人相对较少，因为它的酸度很高。人们更倾向于将柠檬用于调味或泡水饮用。
Test Yourself
我喜欢在夏天喝一杯冰镇的______水。
句子描述的是一种清爽的饮品，通常会加入酸味的水果，柠檬水是最常见的选择。
以下哪种水果以其强烈的酸味和黄色外皮著称？
柠檬是典型的酸味水果，外皮呈黄色。
用“柠檬”和“调味”组句。
选项C最完整地描述了柠檬在烹饪中的用途，符合其作为调味品的功能。
Score: /3
Summary
Lemon is a sour, yellow citrus fruit used to add flavor to food and drinks.
- A sour, yellow citrus fruit.
- Used for flavoring drinks and food.
- Rich in Vitamin C.
Use Lemon for Freshness
Add lemon juice or slices to water, tea, or dishes to impart a fresh, zesty flavor.
Be Mindful of Acidity
Lemon is very sour. Avoid consuming large amounts directly, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.
Lemon in Chinese Cuisine
While not a staple fruit for direct consumption, lemon is valued for its ability to balance richness and cut through greasiness in dishes.
Examples
4 of 4夏天来一杯冰镇柠檬水真是太解渴了。
A glass of iced lemon water in summer is so refreshing and thirst-quenching.
厨师在烹饪海鲜时加入少许柠檬汁，以去除腥味并提升风味。
The chef added a little lemon juice when cooking seafood to remove any fishy smell and enhance the flavor.
这个柠檬挞的味道非常棒，酸甜适中。
This lemon tart tastes wonderful, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour.
研究表明，柠檬中的维生素C对人体健康有益。
Studies show that the Vitamin C in lemons is beneficial for human health.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More food words
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
AA制
A2To split the bill; go Dutch.
一袋
B1A bag of.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
