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零食 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
零食
língshí
between-meal nibbles
HSK 4, n, 22 strokes, rank #8895, Medium
零食
língshí
snacks
HSK 4, n, 22 strokes, rank #8895, Medium
língshí(ling2shi2)ling shi T2
1between-meal nibbles
2snacks
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March 24, 2026
零食língshí(ling2shi2)
零食 (líng shí) refers to snacks or light foods typically consumed between meals. It encompasses a wide variety of items, from fruits and nuts to packaged chips and candies, often enjoyed for their convenience and taste rather than nutritional value.
Strokes22Frequency#8895DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, snacks play a significant role during social gatherings, festivals, and family events. Popular snacks can vary regionally, reflecting local tastes and traditions, such as mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Memory tip
Think of 零 (líng) as 'zero' or 'none', and 食 (shí) as 'food'. Imagine having 'zero' proper meals and only eating snacks instead. Visualize a bag of chips that you can grab at any time, making it easy to remember that 零食 means 'snacks'.
Meanings of 零食
língshí(ling2shi2)
1between-meal nibbles
2snacks
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 零食
零食Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8895Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 零食
Podcast: 零食
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AI study notes for 零食
Quick Contrast
小吃 (xiǎochī) - use 零食 (língshí) for snacks that are more casual or convenience-oriented, while 小吃 (xiǎochī) often refers to more substantial or traditional snacks, typically served in a meal context.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 零食 is generally informal, suitable for everyday conversation. A common mistake is confusing it with 食物 (shí wù), which means 'food' in a broader sense. Remember to use it in contexts where you specifically refer to snacks.
HSK Study Tips
As a Level 5 word, 零食 connects to other vocabulary related to food and eating habits. Focus on using it in sentences about daily routines or sharing preferences, enhancing your ability to talk about meals and snacks.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 零食 with 食物, mistakenly using it to refer to all types of food. For example, saying '我吃零食' to mean 'I eat food' is incorrect; it should be used specifically for snacks.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 零食
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
零食 (líng shí) refers to snacks or light foods typically consumed between meals. It encompasses a wide variety of items, from fruits and nuts to packaged chips and candies, often enjoyed for their convenience and taste rather than nutritional value.
When to use 零食
Be mindful that 零食 is generally informal, suitable for everyday conversation. A common mistake is confusing it with 食物 (shí wù), which means 'food' in a broader sense. Remember to use it in contexts where you specifically refer to snacks.
零食 or something close to it
小吃 (xiǎochī) - use 零食 (língshí) for snacks that are more casual or convenience-oriented, while 小吃 (xiǎochī) often refers to more substantial or traditional snacks, typically served in a meal context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 零食 with 食物, mistakenly using it to refer to all types of food. For example, saying '我吃零食' to mean 'I eat food' is incorrect; it should be used specifically for snacks.
Write 零食
零
食
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Grammar patterns of 零食
零食 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
不要把薯片和巧克力当____来吃，要吃些芹菜和胡萝卜。
Instead of snacking on crisps and chocolate, nibble on celery or carrot.
