noun HSK 5
walnut
Meaning
核桃 refers to the walnut, both the nut itself and the tree. It is a common food item in Chinese cuisine and traditional medicine, valued for its nutritional benefits. The word literally combines 核 (stone/pit) and 桃 (peach), referring to the hard-shelled nature of the nut.
Usage
Native speakers use 核桃 to refer to walnuts in cooking, snacking, and health contexts. It's common in discussions about nutrition, as walnuts are considered brain-healthy food in Chinese culture. Often appears in contexts like buying nuts, cooking recipes, or describing dried fruits and nuts.
Examples
- 01核桃对大脑很有好处。.Walnuts are very good for the brain.
- 02我买了一斤新鲜的核桃。.I bought half a kilogram of fresh walnuts.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个核桃
- 颗三颗核桃
- 斤两斤核桃
Common collocations
- 核桃仁walnut kernel/meat
- 核桃油walnut oil
- 吃核桃to eat walnuts
- 文玩核桃ornamental walnuts (for hand exercise)
Origin
The name 核桃 literally means 'stone peach' or 'pitted peach,' referring to the hard shell of the walnut similar to a peach pit. This naming reflects the nut's hard outer shell structure.