栗
kuri[kɯ̟ɾʲi]
The English word 'chestnut' is translated into Japanese as 栗 (kuri).
栗 is a noun referring to the edible nut of the sweet chestnut tree or related species. It can also be used to describe things that are a deep reddish-brown color, similar to the color of chestnut fruit, through the related form 栗毛.
Meaning: edible nut of the Spanish chestnut or sweet chestnut tree (Castanea sativa), nut from a related shrub or tree, similar nut from an unrelated plant (noun)
Which one should you use?
In English, 'chestnut' is a countable noun, but in Japanese, 栗 can function as either a countable noun or a mass noun without changing its form.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 'chestnut' as a modifier for another noun, such as 'chestnut tree', you add the particle の to the word to form 栗の木.
How do you pronounce it?
kuri
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, chestnuts are sometimes linked to luck and prosperity, leading some to keep them as small charms.
- While the nut is 栗, the specific term for a chestnut-flavored sweet, often shaped like the nut itself, is 栗きんとん (kuri-kinton), a staple of New Year's celebrations.
- The word 栗 belongs to the category of 'kunyomi' readings, meaning it uses a native Japanese pronunciation rather than a reading borrowed from Chinese.
Examples in context
- この栗毛馬、速いなぁ。The chestnut horse is fast.This sentence shows how to use 栗 in the context of a chestnut-colored horse.Tatoeba #10880239 by small_snow, translation #10880187 by AlanF_US
- 痛っ！栗が頭に落ちてきた。Ouch! A chestnut fell on my head.This sentence illustrates the use of 栗 when a chestnut falls.Tatoeba #12141497 by small_snow, translation #5453275 by honeygod
- お母さん、栗ご飯食べたいから、栗ご飯作って。Mom, I want some chestnut rice. Can you make some?This sentence demonstrates the use of 栗 in the context of chestnut rice.Tatoeba #10528994 by small_snow, translation #10529503 by DJ_Saidez
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are at an autumn festival.
- 美咲 Misaki見て、あそこに大きな栗があるよ！Mite, asoko ni ookina kuri ga aru yo!Look, there are big chestnuts over there!
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。栗の甘い匂いがするね。Hontou da. Kuri no amai nioi ga suru ne.You're right. I can smell the sweet scent of chestnuts.
- 美咲 Misaki焼いた栗を一緒に食べようよ。Yaita kuri o issho ni tabeyou yo.Let's eat some roasted chestnuts together.
- 健太 Kentaいい考えだね。美咲、買っていこう。Ii kangae da ne. Misaki, katte ikou.That's a great idea. Misaki, let's go buy some.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chestnut” translations and entries 栗, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
