Values Cannot be Letters??

Question

I am confused, I have tried several times but I cannot seem to make my variables have values of letters or strings— I put in this and get error as my answer.

var fruits = apple
fruits == apple ? print("male") : print("female")

let fruits = apple
fruits == apple ? print("male") : print("female")

Is there any way I can have the variables to have values in letters?

Am I supposed to do this?:

var fruits:String
var fruits = apple
fruits == apple ? print("male") : print("female")

let fruits = apple
fruits == apple ? print("male") : print("female")