How to Ask for Coriander Roots in Chinese at a Market
Learn to ask for coriander with roots or without roots in Mandarin. Master 香菜, 根, 叶子, and patterns like 要带根的 and 不要根 for market shopping.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you buy coriander at a Chinese market, you might want the whole bunch with roots attached for maximum flavor, or you might prefer just the leaves. This lesson teaches you the exact phrases to ask for coriander roots or no roots. You will learn the words 香菜 (coriander), 根 (roots), and 叶子 (leaves), and two key patterns: 要带根的 (want with roots) and 不要根 (no roots). By the end, you can confidently tell the vendor what you need.
By the end, you can…
- ask for coriander with roots using 要带根的.
- ask for coriander without roots using 不要根.
- specify whether I want leaves or roots.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
香菜
coriander (cilantro)
xiāng cài
The common word for coriander in mainland China. In some regions, people also say 芫荽 (yán sui), but 香菜 is widely understood.
根
root(s)
gēn
Refers to the root part of the coriander. Use it when you want to specify roots.
叶子
leaf/leaves
yè zi
The leafy part. The neutral tone on 子 is common in everyday speech.
要带根的
I want it with roots
yào dài gēn de
A complete request. 要 means want, 带 means with/bring, 根 is root, 的 makes it a noun phrase meaning 'the one with roots'.
不要根
No roots
bù yào gēn
Use this to say you don't want the roots. 不要 means don't want. The 不 is pronounced with fourth tone (bù) before 要 (yào).
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 要带 + noun + 的 means 'I want the one with...'. For example, 要带根的 (yào dài gēn de) = want with roots. You can swap 根 for other parts: 要带叶子的 (yào dài yè zi de) = want with leaves. To say you don't want something, use 不要 + noun: 不要根 (bù yào gēn) = no roots. You can also combine: 要带根的，不要叶子 (yào dài gēn de, bù yào yè zi) = want with roots, no leaves. These patterns are direct and natural in a market setting.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at a vegetable stall and the vendor is holding a bunch of coriander. If you want the roots for cooking (they add flavor to soups), say 要带根的. If you only want the leaves, say 不要根. You can also point and say 这个要带根的 (zhè ge yào dài gēn de) = I want this one with roots. If the vendor asks 要根吗？(yào gēn ma? = Do you want roots?), you can answer 要 (yào) or 不要 (bù yào). Keep it simple and polite.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
老板，香菜怎么卖？
Boss, how much is the coriander?lǎo bǎn, xiāng cài zěn me mài?五块钱一把。要带根的吗？
Five yuan a bunch. Do you want it with roots?wǔ kuài qián yì bǎ. yào dài gēn de ma?要带根的，谢谢。
I want it with roots, thanks.yào dài gēn de, xiè xie.好，给你。
Okay, here you go.hǎo, gěi nǐ.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese markets, vendors often ask if you want roots because coriander is sold in bunches with roots attached. Saying 要带根的 is common when you plan to use roots in cooking. If you don't need them, 不要根 is perfectly fine. Politeness is shown by tone and a simple 谢谢 (xiè xie). Bargaining is not typical for small herbs, so just state your preference clearly.
One thing to watch for
Saying 不要带根 (bù yào dài gēn) to mean 'no roots'.
Try this instead: 不要带根 is not standard. To say 'no roots', use 不要根 (bù yào gēn). To say 'with roots', use 要带根的 (yào dài gēn de). Mixing them can confuse the vendor. For example, say 不要根，只要叶子 (bù yào gēn, zhǐ yào yè zi) = no roots, only leaves.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask for coriander with roots?
Show a sample answer
要带根的。
This directly means 'I want the one with roots.' It's a complete, natural request. You could also say 要带根的香菜, but the shorter form is common.
2What does 不要根 mean?
Show a sample answer
No roots (I don't want roots).
不要 means 'don't want', and 根 means 'roots'. This is the standard way to refuse roots. Alternatively, you could say 不要带根的, but that would mean 'I don't want the one with roots', which is less precise.
3How would you say 'I want leaves, no roots'?
Show a sample answer
要叶子，不要根。
This uses 要 (want) and 不要 (don't want) with the nouns 叶子 and 根. It's clear and polite. You could also say 只要叶子，不要根 (zhǐ yào yè zi, bù yào gēn) for emphasis.
To get coriander with roots, say 要带根的. To skip the roots, say 不要根. Use 香菜 for coriander, 根 for roots, and 叶子 for leaves. These phrases work in any market.
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