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Chinese magnolia

Chinese magnolia

6.3
A small tree with large pink or purple flowers grown in gardens
  • noun
  • /ˈtʃaɪniːz mæɡˈnoʊliə/
translation icon : magnolia china
  • The Chinese magnolia blooms early in spring, brightening up gardens before most trees have leaves.

Examples

  • Many gardeners in the eastern United States favor the Chinese magnolia for its dramatic, fragrant flowers.

  • We planted a Chinese magnolia in our backyard, and it quickly became the centerpiece of our landscaping.

  • The Chinese magnolia blooms beautifully in spring.

  • Many gardeners love the Chinese magnolia for its stunning flowers.

  • Many gardeners in the eastern United States favor the Chinese magnolia for its dramatic, fragrant flowers.

  • The Chinese magnolia blooms early in spring, brightening up gardens before most trees have leaves.

  • We planted a Chinese magnolia in our backyard, and it quickly became the centerpiece of our landscaping.

Synonyms

Magnolia
vsChinese magnolia
  • Specialized
4 4.0

A plant like a tree with big, sweet-smelling white or pink flowers

is one specific Asian shrub with large rosy to purplish ornamental flowers
Magnolia soulangiana
vsChinese magnolia
  • Specialized
8.0

A small tree with large pink to purple flowers in spring that people grow in gardens

is identical in description and denotes the same ornamental Asian shrub
saucer magnolia
vsChinese magnolia
7.0

A small tree like a garden shrub with large pink to purple open flowers in spring

is the same plant type but described with rosy to purplish open flowers

Surface Forms

Morphology

Chinese + magnolia

The meaning 'a magnolia associated with China' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'Chinese' (from China) with 'magnolia' (a flowering tree). Adjective + noun origin constructions are standard and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand this phrase.

Etymology

Chinese magnolia has two clear parts: Chinese shows the plant's country of origin, and magnolia is a name given after the French plant scientist Pierre Magnol. So, Chinese magnolia simply means 'a magnolia that comes from China', which makes the name easy to remember.