Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
西红柿(西紅柿)xīhóngshì(xi1hong2shi4)
西红柿 refers to a tomato, a popular fruit often used in salads, sauces, and various dishes. It is commonly used in cooking and is a staple ingredient in many cuisines, particularly in Western and Chinese cooking.
Frequency#11972DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, tomatoes are often used in dishes like '西红柿炒蛋' (stir-fried eggs with tomatoes), showcasing their importance in everyday cooking. They are also featured in various regional dishes across China, adapting to local flavors and ingredients.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright red tomato growing on the western side of a garden. The '西' represents 'west', while '红' means 'red', and '柿' sounds like 'shi', which can remind you of 'sauce' when you think of tomato sauce. Picture the tomato's vibrant color as you say its name, and it will stick in your memory.
Meanings of 西红柿
xīhóngshì(xi1hong2shi4)
1tomato
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 西红柿
西红柿Simplified
西紅柿Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#11972Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 西红柿
Podcast: 西红柿
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 西红柿
Quick Contrast
番茄 (fānqié) is another term for tomato, but is often used in more formal or culinary contexts, while 西红柿 (xīhóngshì) is more commonly used in everyday speech.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bright red tomato growing on the western side of a garden. The '西' represents 'west', while '红' means 'red', and '柿' sounds like 'shi', which can remind you of 'sauce' when you think of tomato sauce. Picture the tomato's vibrant color as you say its name, and it will stick in your memory.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing '西红柿' to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words. This term is informal and widely understood, but in formal settings, you might encounter '番茄' (fānqié) instead. It commonly collocates with words like '吃' (to eat) and '买' (to buy).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 4 word, 西红柿 connects with other food-related vocabulary, enhancing your ability to discuss meals and recipes. Focus on practicing its use in sentences about cooking or shopping for groceries, which are common themes at this level.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, tomatoes are often used in dishes like '西红柿炒蛋' (stir-fried eggs with tomatoes), showcasing their importance in everyday cooking. They are also featured in various regional dishes across China, adapting to local flavors and ingredients.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the tones and pronounce it as 'xi hong shi' instead of 'xi1 hong2 shi4'. Another mistake is using '番茄' interchangeably without recognizing the context; while they are synonymous, their usage can differ based on formality.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 西红柿
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 西红柿 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 西红柿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 西红柿
西红柿 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他的冰箱里除了3个非常干瘪的____外已经空空如也。
His fridge was bare apart from three very withered tomatoes.
Example Sentences for 西红柿 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他的冰箱里除了3个非常干瘪的西红柿外已经空空如也。
tā de bīng xiāng lǐ chú le3 3 gè fēi cháng gān biē de xī hóng shì wài yǐ jīng kōng kōng rú。
His fridge was bare apart from three very withered tomatoes.
2
拿3个硬西红柿切碎。
ná3 3 gè yìng xī hóng shì qiē。
Chop up three firm tomatoes.
3
买些莴苣和西红柿,我好做色拉.
mǎi xiē wō jù hé xī hóng shì, , wǒ hǎo zuò sè.
Get some lettuce and tomatoes so I can make a salad.
Roughly chop the tomatoes and add them to the casserole.
Cultural Notes for 西红柿
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine, tomatoes are often used in dishes like '西红柿炒蛋' (stir-fried eggs with tomatoes), showcasing their importance in everyday cooking. They are also featured in various regional dishes across China, adapting to local flavors and ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions about 西红柿
西红柿 is more commonly used in spoken language and informal contexts, while 番茄 is often considered more formal.
You can say, '我想买一些西红柿' (I want to buy some tomatoes).
西红柿 is botanically classified as a fruit, but it is often used as a vegetable in cooking.
