bean plant; bean seed; bean-shaped object
Meanings
3 senses · 10 examplesnoun
legume crops; bean plants; pulses
Refers to the plants themselves rather than the seeds. Used when discussing cultivation, growth, or agricultural aspects.
The bean plants in the field are growing very well.
The farmers are planting beans.
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This type of bean plant has beautiful flowers.
noun
bean seeds; legume seeds
Refers to the edible seeds, typically used in cooking or as food. This is the most common everyday meaning.
Mom is shelling beans in the kitchen.
These beans need to be soaked overnight.
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I like eating stir-fried beans.
Beans must be cooked thoroughly before eating.
noun
bean-shaped objects; things resembling beans
Used metaphorically or in specific contexts for small, round, bean-shaped items. Some terms like 狗豆子 (dog beans) are dialect terms for parasites (ticks).
He picked up a few small gold nuggets (shaped like beans).
Dog beans (ticks) are a type of parasite that bites dogs.
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This pill is as round as a small bean.