珍珠奶茶 (zhēnzhū nǎichá), the beloved “bubble tea” or “pearl milk tea,” is a delicious term with a straightforward structure that reflects its ingredients:.

Here’s the breakdown:

• 珍 (zhēn): This character originally depicted a person holding a valuable object, such as jade. It signifies something precious, rare, and treasured.

• 珠 (zhū): This character originally depicted a pearl or bead, often used for adornment. It represents a small, round, and precious object.

奶 (nǎi): This character originally depicted a woman’s breast, representing milk or dairy products.

茶 (chá): This character originally depicted a tea plant, representing tea.

Therefore, the original structure of 珍珠奶茶 literally translates to “precious pearl milk tea.” This accurately describes the drink:

• Precious pearls (珍珠): The tapioca balls, which are the defining feature of bubble tea.
• Milk (奶): The creamy dairy component that provides richness.
• Tea (茶): The base beverage, often black or green tea.

The name 珍珠奶茶 highlights the key ingredients and emphasizes the preciousness of the tapioca pearls, which add a unique texture and sweetness to the drink. This straightforward composition makes the term easily understandable, even for those unfamiliar with Chinese characters..