Meanings of 食
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About 食
Podcast: 食
Podcast: 食
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AI Study Notes for 食
吃 (chī) vs 餐 (cān) — use 食 (shí) for general or formal references to food and eating, while 吃 (chī) is more casual and conversational; 餐 (cān) specifically refers to a meal or dining context.
Imagine a chef preparing a feast, with the character 食 resembling a plate overflowing with food. The sound 'shí' can remind you of 'shepherd' who feeds the sheep, creating a vivid image of feeding and nourishment.
Common mistakes include confusing 食 with 饭 (fàn), which specifically means 'rice' or 'meal.' 食 is more general and can refer to eating in various contexts, while 饭 is more specific. Be mindful of using 食 in both formal and informal settings, as it is versatile but can sound overly formal if used casually.
While 食 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to meals and eating. Focus on using 食 in phrases like 吃饭 (chī fàn - to eat rice/meal) to deepen your understanding of its usage in everyday conversation.
In Chinese culture, meals are a significant aspect of social interaction, and the act of sharing food is considered a way to build relationships. 食 embodies this cultural importance, as meals are often communal and reflect hospitality.
Learners often confuse 食 with 吃 (chī), which means 'to eat' as an action. For example, saying '我食饭' (wǒ shí fàn) instead of '我吃饭' (wǒ chī fàn) is incorrect; '吃' is the appropriate verb for the action of eating.
Pronunciation of 食
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Etymology of 食
Pictograph of food being spooned into the mouth. Not related to 良.
A dish of food 良 with a lid on top 人
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 食?
Decomposition of 食
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 食?
Write 食
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Practice writing 食 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 食
食 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
这种办法可以保存____物，并且能保存很久。
This method can preserve food, and it can preserve it for a long time.
Common Confusions with 食
Same pinyin but different meaning and character structure.
饣 is the food radical and often appears in characters related to eating.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to eat"?
Usage Notes for 食
Learners often confuse 食 with related verbs like 吃 (chī), which specifically means 'to eat' in a more colloquial sense.
我喜欢吃苹果。
I like to eat apples.
Example Sentences for 食 (10)
Cultural Notes for 食
In Chinese culture, meals are a significant aspect of social interaction, and the act of sharing food is considered a way to build relationships. 食 embodies this cultural importance, as meals are often communal and reflect hospitality.
Word Family of 食
Compound Meaning
What does 餐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 食
食 (shí) is more formal and can refer to food in general or the act of eating in a more abstract sense, while 吃 (chī) is the more commonly used verb that simply means 'to eat'. In daily conversation, 吃 is preferred for expressing the action of eating.