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Glite Dictionary
Japanese quince

Japanese quince

8.7
A bush from China that loses its leaves, has thorns and red or white flowers
  • noun
translation icon : membrillo japonés
  • The Japanese quince blooms early in spring with vibrant red flowers.

Examples

  • Many gardeners plant Japanese quince for its attractive blossoms and thorny branches.

  • The fruit of the Japanese quince is sometimes used to make jelly.

  • The Japanese quince blooms beautifully in spring.

  • I planted a Japanese quince in my garden last year.

  • Many gardeners plant Japanese quince for its attractive blossoms and thorny branches.

  • The Japanese quince blooms early in spring with vibrant red flowers.

  • I planted a Japanese quince in my garden last year to enjoy its beautiful blooms.

Synonyms

Chaenomeles speciosa
vsJapanese quince
  • Specialized
9.9

A thorny bush from China that makes red or white flowers in spring

focuses on the plant as an ornamental cultivated shrub rather than the species name
flowering quince
vsJapanese quince
8.0

A small Asian shrub with spiny branches and red or pink flowers

is the China-native shrub often described by its specific red or white flowers
Chaenomeles japonica
vsJapanese quince
  • Specialized
9.9

A thorny shrub from Japan with red spring flowers

is native to China and includes both red and white blossoms

Surface Forms

Japanese quince singular
Japanese quinces plural

Morphology

Japanese + quince

The meaning is directly compositional: 'Japanese' specifies an association/origin and 'quince' names the tree/fruit, so the phrase denotes a variety or type of quince related to Japan. This adjective+noun naming pattern is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Japanese quince may come from people first seeing the shrub in Japanese gardens and so linking the plant with Japan. Its thorny branches and bright red or white flowers give a clear picture, so the name now means a small, showy shrub used as a 'garden plant'.