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")