How to Buy Peeled Chestnuts in Chinese: A Market Guide
Learn to ask for peeled or in-shell chestnuts at a Chinese market. Master key phrases like 要剥好的 and 一斤 to shop confidently.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
Buying chestnuts at a Chinese market is easy once you know the right words. This lesson teaches you how to ask for peeled chestnuts (剥好的) or chestnuts in the shell (带壳的), and how to order a specific amount using 一斤 (one jin, about 500 grams). You'll practice simple sentence patterns to tell the vendor exactly what you want. Whether you're making a dish that calls for peeled chestnuts or just snacking, these phrases will help you get the right product without confusion.
By the end, you can…
- ask for peeled chestnuts using 要剥好的.
- specify the quantity I want with 一斤.
- distinguish between peeled and in-shell chestnuts.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
栗子
chestnuts
lì zi
The general word for chestnuts. Use it to start any request.
剥好的
peeled
bāo hǎo de
Describes chestnuts that have already been shelled. Use after 栗子.
带壳的
in shell
dài ké de
Describes chestnuts that still have their shells. Opposite of 剥好的.
要剥好的
I want peeled ones
yào bāo hǎo de
A direct way to say you want the peeled chestnuts. 要 means 'want'.
一斤
one jin (500 grams)
yì jīn
A common unit of weight in Chinese markets. Use it to order a specific amount.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 要 + [item] + 的 lets you request a specific type of product. For example, 要剥好的 (yào bāo hǎo de) means 'I want the peeled ones.' You can also say 要带壳的 (yào dài ké de) for 'I want the in-shell ones.' To add quantity, put the amount before the item: 要一斤剥好的 (yào yì jīn bāo hǎo de) means 'I want one jin of peeled ones.' This pattern is polite and clear in a market setting.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you're at a stall selling chestnuts. Start with 栗子 to get the vendor's attention, then specify 剥好的 or 带壳的. If you want a specific amount, add 一斤 or another quantity. For example, 栗子，要一斤剥好的 (Lì zi, yào yì jīn bāo hǎo de) means 'Chestnuts, I want one jin of peeled ones.' If you're unsure, you can ask 有剥好的吗？ (Yǒu bāo hǎo de ma?) meaning 'Do you have peeled ones?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
老板，栗子怎么卖？
Boss, how much are the chestnuts?Lǎo bǎn, lì zi zěn me mài?带壳的十五块一斤，剥好的二十块一斤。
In-shell are 15 yuan per jin, peeled are 20 yuan per jin.Dài ké de shí wǔ kuài yì jīn, bāo hǎo de èr shí kuài yì jīn.我要一斤剥好的。
I want one jin of peeled ones.Wǒ yào yì jīn bāo hǎo de.好，这是一斤剥好的。
Okay, here is one jin of peeled ones.Hǎo, zhè shì yì jīn bāo hǎo de.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese markets, it's common to ask for a specific weight like 一斤. Vendors may round up or down slightly. The term 老板 (lǎo bǎn) is a friendly way to address a vendor, meaning 'boss' or 'shopkeeper'. It's polite and casual.
One thing to watch for
Saying 要剥好的栗子 instead of 要剥好的.
Try this instead: While 要剥好的栗子 is grammatically correct, it's more natural to omit 栗子 after 剥好的 if the context is clear. For example, 要一斤剥好的 is sufficient. However, if you want to be explicit, you can say 要一斤剥好的栗子.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I want peeled chestnuts' in Chinese?
Show a sample answer
我要剥好的栗子。
This sentence uses 要 (want) + 剥好的 (peeled) + 栗子 (chestnuts). You can also omit 栗子 if the context is clear: 我要剥好的。
2What does 带壳的 mean?
Show a sample answer
In shell.
带壳的 (dài ké de) describes chestnuts that still have their shells. It's the opposite of 剥好的 (peeled).
3How would you ask for half a jin of peeled chestnuts?
Show a sample answer
我要半斤剥好的。
半斤 (bàn jīn) means half a jin. The pattern is 要 + quantity + 剥好的. You can replace 半斤 with any amount.
Use 要剥好的 to ask for peeled chestnuts and 一斤 to specify the amount. Remember to address the vendor as 老板 for a friendly tone.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Chinese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr