mandarin

• 一个多义词：既指一种皮松易剥的小型柑橘类水果（尤指橘子/柑），也指中国帝制时期的高级官员，还可泛指文化或知识精英群体中的成员。

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to a small citrus fruit with a loose skin (especially the mandarin orange), or to a high-ranking official in imperial China, or more broadly to a member of an elite cultural or intellectual group.

1. A2formalculinary

   A small citrus tree or its fruit, with a sweet, aromatic pulp and a thin, loose, easily peeled rind, typically yellow-orange to flame-orange in color.

   橘子

   • She peeled a mandarin for a quick snack.
   • The market sells sweet mandarins from the south.
   • He added slices of mandarin to the fruit salad.

   同义词clementinesatsumatangerine

2. Elite IntellectualC1formal

   A member of a highly educated, influential, or culturally elite group.

   精英知识分子

   • The literary mandarins of the city gathered for the annual symposium.
   • He was considered a mandarin of modern art criticism.
   • The university's mandarins shaped the direction of academic thought.

   同义词brahmineggheadintellectualpunditsagesavantscholarthinker

3. High Government OfficialB2formalpolitical

   A senior bureaucrat or government official, often with significant power or influence.

   高级官员

   • The mandarin approved the new policy after months of review.
   • Corruption among high-ranking mandarins was a serious issue.
   • He served as a mandarin in the finance ministry for decades.

   同义词administratorbureaucratfunctionaryministerofficialpublic servant

4. Imperial Chinese OfficialB2formal

   A high-ranking public official in imperial China, often a scholar-bureaucrat.

   官僚（中国帝制时期官员）

   • The mandarin wore a distinctive robe as a symbol of his rank.
   • In ancient China, a mandarin was required to pass rigorous exams.
   • The emperor consulted his mandarins on matters of state.

   同义词bureaucratofficial

5. Citrus VarietyA2formalculinary

   A type of citrus fruit, similar to a tangerine, with a reddish-orange color and loose skin.

   橘子

   • The mandarin is known for its sweet flavor and easy-to-peel skin.
   • She bought a bag of mandarins at the grocery store.
   • Mandarins are often used in desserts and salads.

   同义词clementinemandarin orangesatsumatangerine