Represents a lemon — sour, bright, and fresh. It’s used both literally (food, drinks) and figuratively to talk about “something sour” in life, like a disappointment or unlucky event.
Your friend tells you their flight got delayed again.
Ugh that’s a total lemon 🍋
In Japan, 🍋 often carries gentle, nostalgic vibes thanks to its use in song lyrics and commercials (“青春レモン” vibes). It can feel more like “refreshing youth” or “pure energy” rather than “sourness.”
While 🍋 is safe in most chats, calling someone a “lemon” in English can imply they’re disappointing or defective (like a bad car). Context really matters!
Related emojis that share similar meanings or usage.
