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核桃 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
核桃hétaowalnutHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #12883, Very Hard
hétao(he2tao5)he tao T2
  1. 1walnut
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March 24, 2026

核桃hétao(he2tao5)

核桃 (hé táo) refers to the walnut, a type of nut commonly eaten as a snack or used in various dishes. In Chinese cuisine, walnuts are often valued for their health benefits, including boosting brain function and heart health. The term '核' means 'shell' or 'nucleus', while '桃' means 'peach', reflecting the walnut's hard shell and its fruit-like appearance.

Strokes20Frequency#12883DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, walnuts are often associated with wisdom and longevity, and they are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve cognitive function and vitality.

Memory Tip

Imagine a walnut with a hard shell that looks like a peach. The character '核' resembles a shell protecting the '桃' (peach) inside, reminding you that walnuts are nuts that have a hard exterior and a soft interior, just like a peach.

Meanings of 核桃

hétao(he2tao5)
1walnut
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 核桃

核桃Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 核桃

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AI Study Notes for 核桃

Quick Contrast

核桃 (hé táo) vs 开心果 (kāi xīn guǒ): 核桃 refers specifically to walnuts, while 开心果 refers to pistachios; choose 核桃 when discussing walnuts specifically.

Usage Notes

When using 核桃, be careful not to confuse it with other nuts like 杏仁 (xìng rén, almond) or 花生 (huā shēng, peanut). The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include '核桃仁' (hé táo rén, walnut kernels) and '核桃油' (hé táo yóu, walnut oil).

HSK Study Tips

核桃 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it is relevant for HSK 3-4 level learners interested in food and health topics. Students should focus on the characters' components and their meanings, as well as how this word can connect to discussions about nutrition and cooking.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 核桃 with other types of nuts, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我喜欢核桃' (wǒ xǐ huān hé táo) when referring to almonds would be incorrect; it's important to specify the type of nut accurately.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 核桃

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Component Characters

核hépit
HSK 710 strokes木
View full entry
桃táopeach
HSK 510 strokes木
View full entry

How to say walnut in Chinese

“walnut” in Chinese is核桃hétao

核桃 (hé táo) refers to the walnut, a type of nut commonly eaten as a snack or used in various dishes. In Chinese cuisine, walnuts are often valued for their health benefits, including boosting brain function and heart health. The term '核' means 'shell' or 'nucleus', while '桃' means 'peach', reflecting the walnut's hard shell and its fruit-like appearance.

When to use 核桃

When using 核桃, be careful not to confuse it with other nuts like 杏仁 (xìng rén, almond) or 花生 (huā shēng, peanut). The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include '核桃仁' (hé táo rén, walnut kernels) and '核桃油' (hé táo yóu, walnut oil).

核桃 or something close to it

核桃 (hé táo) vs 开心果 (kāi xīn guǒ): 核桃 refers specifically to walnuts, while 开心果 refers to pistachios; choose 核桃 when discussing walnuts specifically.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 核桃 with other types of nuts, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我喜欢核桃' (wǒ xǐ huān hé táo) when referring to almonds would be incorrect; it's important to specify the type of nut accurately.

Write 核桃

核
桃

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Frequently Asked Questions about 核桃

The word for 'walnut' in Chinese is 核桃 (hé táo).

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