Understanding the names of Chinese vegetables is a practical and rewarding step in your Chinese language journey. Whether you're navigating a local market in Beijing or reading a restaurant menu in Shanghai, knowing your vegetables helps you interact more naturally and confidently. This guide will take you through an organized Chinese vegetables vocabulary list, including roots, nuts, and fruits, all with accurate Pinyin and meanings.

In addition to the vocabulary, you'll learn useful sentence structures and tips for remembering common vegetable terms. Whether you're preparing for daily conversations or building thematic word banks to succeed in the HSK or other exams, this guide is designed to support you.

I. Comprehensive Chinese Vegetables Vocabulary: Roots, Nuts, and Fruits
II. Common Phrases for Talking About Chinese Vegetables
III. Tips for Learning Chinese Vocabulary on Fruits and Vegetables
IV. Conclusion

100+ Chinese Vegetables Names with Pinyin and Meanings

I. Comprehensive Chinese Vegetables Vocabulary: Roots, Nuts, and Fruits

Chinese cuisine celebrates vegetables as central ingredients rather than mere accompaniments. The list of chinese vegetables below covers common varieties you encounter in markets, restaurants, and recipe books. Each entry includes Chinese characters, pinyin for pronunciation, and English translation to build your working vocabulary systematically.

1. Chinese Vegetables | 蔬菜 (shūcài)

Below are some of the most common Chinese vegetables you’ll see in homes, wet markets, and Chinese cuisine.

No.	Chinese Vegetables	Pinyin	English Meaning
1	留兰香	liúlánxiāng	Mint (herb)
2	芥菜	jiècài	Mustard greens (pickled/leafy)
3	卷心菜 / 圆白菜	juǎnxīncài / yuánbáicài	Cabbage
4	蒿菜	hāocài	Garland chrysanthemum (edible chrysanthemum)
-	菜心	càixīn	Choy sum (flowering cabbage)
5	娃娃菜	wáwa cài	Baby napa cabbage
6	青菜	qīngcài	Bok choy, spoon cabbage
7	洋芹	yáng qín	Celery
8	落葵	luòkuí	Malabar spinach
9	木耳菜	mù’ěr cài	Basella (another name for Malabar spinach)
10	苋菜	xiàncài	Amaranth greens
11	蕃薯叶	fānshǔyè	Sweet potato leaves
12	积雪草	jī xuě cǎo	Gotu kola (centella)
13	香菜	xiāngcài	Coriander / Cilantro
14	空心菜	kōngxīncài	Water spinach (morning glory)
15	树仔菜	shùzǎicài	Katuk (sweet leaf)
16	花椰菜 / 菜椰花	huāyēcài / càiyēhuā	Cauliflower (white broccoli)
17	绿菜花 / 西兰花	lǜ càihuā / xīlánhuā	Broccoli (green cauliflower)
18	紫苏	zǐsū	Perilla (shiso leaves)
19	莳萝	shíluó	Dill
20	生菜	shēngcài	Lettuce, raw vegetables
21	野芋	yěyù	Taro stem (used in sour soups)
22	韭菜	jiǔcài	Chinese leek (garlic chives)
23	芽菜	yácài	Bean sprouts
24	海带	hǎidài	Kelp (seaweed)
25	菠菜	bōcài	Spinach
26	木耳	mù’ěr	Black fungus (wood ear mushroom)
27	白木耳	bái mù’ěr	White fungus (tremella)
28	香菇	xiānggū	Shiitake mushroom
29	金针菇	jīnzhēngū	Enoki mushroom (golden needle mushroom)
30	鸡腿菇	jītuǐgū	King oyster mushroom
31	鲍鱼菇	bàoyúgū	Abalone mushroom

2. Roots or Tubers | 根茎类 (gēnjīng lèi)

Root vegetables form substantial components of Chinese cooking, providing texture, nutrition, and flavor depth to countless dishes. This Chinese vegetable list section covers tubers and underground vegetables essential to authentic cuisine.

No.	Chinese vegetables	Pinyin	English Meaning
1	胡萝卜	húluóbo	Carrot
2	黄姜	huángjiāng	Turmeric
3	香茅	xiāngmáo	Lemongrass
4	姜	jiāng	Ginger
5	大蒜	dàsuàn	Garlic
6	蒜薹 / 蒜苗	suàntái / suànmiáo	Garlic scape / garlic shoot
7	芜菁	wújīng	Turnip / kohlrabi
8	番薯 / 甘薯 / 红薯	fānshǔ / gānshǔ / hóngshǔ	Sweet potato
9	土豆	tǔdòu	Potato
10	野芋 / 小芋头	yěyù / xiǎoyùtou	Taro root (small variety)
11	芋艿 / 芋头	yùnǎi / yùtou	Taro
12	山药	shānyào	Chinese yam (nagaimo)
13	木薯	mùshǔ	Cassava
14	白萝卜	báiluóbo	White radish (daikon)
15	樱桃萝卜	yīngtáo luóbo	Cherry radish
16	甜菜 / 红菜头	tiáncài / hóngcàitóu	Beetroot
17	高良姜	gāoliángjiāng	Galangal
18	马蹄	mǎtí	Water chestnut
19	茭白	jiāobái	Wild rice stem (Manchurian wild rice shoot)
20	莲藕	liánǒu	Lotus root
21	洋葱	yángcōng	Onion
22	紫洋葱	zǐ yángcōng	Red onion
23	白洋葱	bái yángcōng	White onion
24	火葱	huǒ cōng	Shallot (red shallot)

3. Nuts and Seeds | 坚果和种子 (jiānguǒ hé zhǒngzǐ)

While not strictly Chinese vegetables, nuts and seeds frequently accompany vegetable dishes in Chinese cuisine and merit inclusion in comprehensive vocabulary lists. Understanding these terms helps you navigate ingredient lists and market conversations.

No.	Chinese vegetables	Pinyin	English Meaning
1	黄豆	huángdòu	Soybean
2	红豆	hóngdòu	Red bean (adzuki bean)
3	花生	huāshēng	Peanut
4	豌豆 / 荷兰豆	wāndòu / hélándòu	Pea / Snow pea (sugar snap pea)
5	毛豆	máodòu	Edamame / fresh green soybean
6	绿豆	lǜdòu	Mung bean
7	刺山柑	cìshāngān	Capers
8	老鼠瓜	lǎoshǔguā	Sponge gourd (aka angled luffa)
9	秋葵	qiūkuí	Okra
10	栗子	lìzi	Chestnut
11	黑豆	hēidòu	Black bean
12	南瓜子	nánguā zǐ	Pumpkin seed
13	开心果	kāixīnguǒ	Pistachio
14	菂 / 莲子 / 莲 / 莲心	dì / liánzǐ / lián / liánxīn	Lotus seed / Lotus embryo
15	澳洲坚果	àozhōu jiānguǒ	Macadamia nut
16	葵花子	kuíhuāzǐ	Sunflower seed
17	西瓜种子	xīguā zhǒngzǐ	Watermelon seed
18	杏仁	xìngrén	Almond
19	腰果	yāoguǒ	Cashew
20	核桃	hétáo	Walnut
21	可可豆	kěkě dòu	Cocoa bean
22	嘉种子	jiā zhǒngzǐ	Chia seed
23	米粒	mǐlì	Rice grain
24	谷子 / 禾	gǔzi / hé	Millet
25	粟子	sùzi	Millet (alternative/literary name)
26	胡椒	hújiāo	Peppercorn (black/white pepper)

4. Fruits | 水果 (shuǐguǒ)

Fruit vocabulary overlaps with vegetable terminology in Chinese contexts, particularly for items like tomatoes and cucumbers that serve dual culinary roles. This section covers fruits you encounter in markets and everyday conversations.

No.	Chinese vegetables	Pinyin	English Meaning
1	葫芦	húlu	Calabash / bottle gourd
2	冬瓜	dōngguā	Winter melon
3	南瓜	nánguā	Pumpkin
4	苹果	píngguǒ	Apple
5	杏子	xìngzi	Apricot
6	番茄 / 西红柿	fānqié / xīhóngshì	Tomato
7	樱桃西红柿	yīngtáo xīhóngshì	Cherry tomato
8	茄子	qiézi	Eggplant
9	长茄子	zhǎng qiézi	Long eggplant
10	圆茄	yuán jiā	Round eggplant
11	豆荚	dòujiá	Bean pods (general term)
12	黄瓜	huángguā	Cucumber
13	苦瓜	kǔguā	Bitter melon
14	蛇豆角 / 蛇瓜	shé dòujiǎo / shé guā	Snake gourd / Indian gourd
15	玉米	yùmǐ	Corn / maize
16	红椒	hóng jiāo	Red bell pepper
17	黄椒	huáng jiāo	Yellow bell pepper
18	青圆椒	qīng yuán jiāo	Green bell pepper (round)
19	长红辣椒	zhǎng hóng làjiāo	Long red chili pepper
20	小红辣椒	xiǎo hóng làjiāo	Small red chili (spicy)
21	青尖椒	qīng jiān jiāo	Green chili pepper
22	甜椒	tiánjiāo	Sweet pepper
23	长黄辣椒	zhǎng huáng làjiāo	Long yellow chili
24	青椒	qīngjiāo	Green pepper
25	长青椒	cháng qīngjiāo	Long green pepper
26	辣椒	làjiāo	Chili / hot pepper
27	节瓜	jiéguā	Hairy gourd
28	木鳖果	mùbiēguǒ	Gac fruit
29	山竹果	shānzhúguǒ	Mangosteen
30	罗望子	luówàngzi	Tamarind
31	角瓜	jiǎoguā	Angled gourd
32	丝瓜	sīguā	Loofah gourd
33	橄榄	gǎnlǎn	Olive
34	佛手瓜	fóshǒuguā	Chayote
35	牛油果 / 油梨	niúyóuguǒ / yóu lí	Avocado
36	香蕉	xiāngjiāo	Banana
37	西瓜	xīguā	Watermelon
38	柠檬	níngméng	Lemon
39	橙子	chéngzi	Orange
40	梨	lí	Pear
41	菠萝	bōluó	Pineapple
42	草莓	cǎoméi	Strawberry
43	葡萄	pútáo	Grape
44	椰子	yēzi	Coconut
45	猕猴桃	míhóutáo	Kiwi
46	樱桃	yīngtáo	Cherry
47	桃子	táozi	Peach
48	芒果	mángguǒ	Mango

II. Common Phrases for Talking About Chinese Vegetables

Mastering individual vocabulary serves as a foundation, but practical phrases of Chinese vegetables transform knowledge into communication ability. These expressions help you shop at markets, order in restaurants, and discuss food preferences with native speakers.

No.	Chinese Sentence	Pinyin	English Translation
1	我最喜欢的蔬菜是花菜，因为它又营养又好吃。	Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de shūcài shì huācài, yīnwèi tā yòu yíngyǎng yòu hǎochī.	My favorite vegetable is cauliflower because it’s nutritious and tasty.
2	你知道怎么选择新鲜的水果吗？	Nǐ zhīdào zěnme xuǎnzé xīnxiān de shuǐguǒ ma?	Do you know how to choose fresh fruit?
3	这个超市有很多种类的蔬菜，你喜欢哪一种？	Zhège chāoshì yǒu hěnduō zhǒnglèi de shūcài, nǐ xǐhuān nǎ yì zhǒng?	This supermarket has many kinds of vegetables. Which one do you like?
4	青菜对健康非常有益，我们应该多吃一点儿。	Qīngcài duì jiànkāng fēicháng yǒuyì, wǒmen yīnggāi duō chī yìdiǎnr.	Leafy greens are very healthy—we should eat more of them.
5	你有什么推荐的水果吗？我想尝试一些新的口味。	Nǐ yǒu shénme tuījiàn de shuǐguǒ ma? Wǒ xiǎng chángshì yìxiē xīn de kǒuwèi.	Do you have any fruit recommendations? I’d like to try some new flavors.
6	这个市场有新鲜的蔬菜和水果，而且价格也很便宜。	Zhège shìchǎng yǒu xīnxiān de shūcài hé shuǐguǒ, érqiě jiàgé yě hěn piányi.	This market has fresh vegetables and fruits, and the prices are very cheap too.
7	你知道如何烹饪胡萝卜吗？你能分享一个食谱吗？	Nǐ zhīdào rúhé pēngrèn húluóbo ma? Nǐ néng fēnxiǎng yīgè shípǔ ma?	Do you know how to cook carrots? Can you share a recipe with me?
8	这家餐厅的水果沙拉非常好吃，里面有很多新鲜的水果。	Zhè jiā cāntīng de shuǐguǒ shālā fēicháng hǎochī, lǐmiàn yǒu hěnduō xīnxiān de shuǐguǒ.	The fruit salad at this restaurant is delicious—it’s full of fresh fruits.
9	你喜欢吃哪些蔬菜？你怎么做菜？	Nǐ xǐhuān chī nǎxiē shūcài? Nǐ zěnme zuò cài?	What vegetables do you like? How do you cook them?
10	最近我发现了一个新的水果，叫做樱桃。你尝过吗？	Zuìjìn wǒ fāxiàn le yí ge xīn de shuǐguǒ, jiào zuò yīngtáo. Nǐ cháng guò ma?	I recently discovered a new fruit called cherry. Have you tried it?
11	我喜欢在家种一些蔬菜，这样我就可以吃自己种的有机食物。	Wǒ xǐhuān zài jiā zhòng yīxiē shūcài, zhèyàng wǒ jiù kěyǐ chī zìjǐ zhòng de yǒujī shíwù.	I like growing vegetables at home so I can eat my own organic food.
12	我最喜欢的水果是草莓，因为它又甜又多汁。	Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de shuǐguǒ shì cǎoméi, yīnwèi tā yòu tián yòu duōzhī.	My favorite fruit is strawberry because it's sweet and juicy.
13	你知道吗？番茄实际上是一种水果，而不是蔬菜。	Nǐ zhīdào ma? Fānqié shíjì shàng shì yī zhǒng shuǐguǒ, búshì shūcài.	Did you know? Tomato is technically a fruit, not a vegetable.
14	这个季节最好吃的水果是柚子，它的味道很清爽。	Zhège jìjié zuì hǎo chī de shuǐguǒ shì yòuzi, tā de wèidào hěn qīngshuǎng.	The best fruit this season is pomelo—its taste is very refreshing.
15	我经常在菜市场买新鲜的蔬菜，这样可以确保食物的质量。	Wǒ jīngcháng zài càishìchǎng mǎi xīnxiān de shūcài, zhèyàng kěyǐ quèbǎo shíwù de zhìliàng.	I often buy fresh vegetables at the market to ensure food quality.
16	橙子是一种很好吃的水果，它富含维生素C。	Chéngzi shì yī zhǒng hěn hǎochī de shuǐguǒ, tā fùhán wéishēngsù C.	Oranges are tasty fruits and rich in vitamin C.
17	香蕉是我每天早餐的一部分，它提供了丰富的能量。	Xiāngjiāo shì wǒ měitiān zǎocān de yī bùfen, tā tígōng le fēngfù de néngliàng.	Bananas are part of my daily breakfast; they provide great energy.
18	柠檬可以用来调味菜肴，还可以制作饮料。	Níngméng kěyǐ yòng lái tiáowèi càiyáo, hái kěyǐ zhìzuò yǐnliào.	Lemons can be used for cooking or making drinks.
19	芒果是一种热带水果，它的味道甜而多汁。	Mángguǒ shì yī zhǒng rèdài shuǐguǒ, tā de wèidào tián ér duōzhī.	Mango is a tropical fruit—it tastes sweet and juicy.
20	蔬菜和水果对我们的健康非常重要，它们富含纤维和营养物质。	Shūcài hé shuǐguǒ duì wǒmen de jiànkāng fēicháng zhòngyào, tāmen fùhán xiānwéi hé yíngyǎng wùzhì.	Fruits and vegetables are vital to our health—they're rich in fiber and nutrients.

These sentences are essential for practical interaction whether you're at the supermarket, local market, or sharing a meal with Mandarin speakers. They also help reinforce vocabulary retention through contextual use.

III. Tips for Learning Chinese Vocabulary on Fruits and Vegetables

Effective vocabulary acquisition requires strategic approaches beyond rote memorization. These tested methods help you retain and apply your growing knowledge of Chinese vegetables and related terms.

Use Flashcards with Images: Combine the character, Pinyin, and a vivid image. Visual context helps speed up word recognition.
Group by Category and Color: Organize your learning lists by category (leafy greens, roots, fruits) and visual color. This reinforces both semantic and sensory memory.
Label Your Kitchen: Stick small labels on fruits and vegetables in your home using Chinese characters and Pinyin. Passive exposure accelerates retention.
Watch Chinese Cooking Videos: Learn real spoken use of vegetable names in cooking shows or recipe tutorials. This helps you identify common Chinese vegetables in actual use.
Practice with a Native Speaker: Use vocabulary in mock shopping dialogues with a tutor or language exchange partner. Real-time use of the words you learn is the most efficient way to gain fluency.
Track Words from Restaurant Menus: Keep a mini-notebook or app where you record unknown words from restaurant menus or market signs. You’ll see chinese vegetables names recur across environments, building automatic recall.

IV. Conclusion

Building a solid foundation in Chinese vegetables vocabulary equips you with the tools to navigate markets, prepare dishes, and engage in meaningful, real-world conversation. With structured vocabulary, practical phrases, and smart learning strategies, this topic connects directly to everyday life—and that makes it all the more worth mastering.

By using this list of Chinese vegetables regularly in speech, writing, or daily routines, you’ll boost your fluency, memory, and confidence in Mandarin. So next time you're in a Chinese restaurant or local market, don’t guess—speak with precision using real words and expressions from this guide.

100+ Chinese Vegetables Names with Pinyin and Meanings