What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tangerine
Example
I love eating tangerines as a snack. [tangerines: noun]
Example
The walls in my room are painted a bright tangerine color. [tangerine: adjective]
satsuma
Example
I bought a bag of satsumas from the farmer's market. [satsumas: noun]
Example
The tea had a subtle satsuma flavor that I really enjoyed. [satsuma: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tangerine is more commonly used than satsuma in everyday language. Tangerine is a more general term that covers a wider range of citrus fruits, while satsuma refers specifically to a type of mandarin orange.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tangerine and satsuma?
Both tangerine and satsuma are casual and informal words that can be used in any context without sounding too formal or stiff.