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食物 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
食物
shíwù
food
HSK 4, n, 17 strokes, rank #1141, Medium
shíwù(shi2wu4)shi wu T2
1food
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March 24, 2026
食物shíwù(shi2wu4)
食物 (shíwù) refers to food in a general sense, encompassing all types of edible items that can be consumed for nourishment. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about meals, dietary habits, or culinary preferences.
Strokes17Frequency#1141DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, food plays a central role in social gatherings and family life, often symbolizing unity and hospitality. The concept of 食物 encompasses not just sustenance but also the cultural significance of sharing meals together.
Memory tip
Think of 食 (shí) as the image of a plate filled with food, and 物 (wù) as a collection of various items. Together, they create the idea of 'things to eat.' Visualize a banquet where every dish represents a different type of 食物, making it easy to remember that this word means food.
Meanings of 食物
shíwù(shi2wu4)
1food
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About 食物
食物Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1141Frequency Rank
种Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 食物
Podcast: 食物
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AI study notes for 食物
Quick Contrast
✓ 食品 (shípǐn) vs 食物 (shíwù) — use 食品 when referring specifically to food products, especially in commercial contexts.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 食物 with simpler terms like 吃 (chī, to eat) or 餐 (cān, meal), which refer to actions or specific meals rather than the general concept of food. 食物 is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid using it when specifically referring to dishes or meals, where terms like 菜 (cài) or 餐点 (cāndiǎn) might be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 食物 connects with other vocabulary related to daily life and nutrition. Focus on how it interacts with verbs like 吃 (to eat) and 喝 (to drink), as well as adjectives that describe food, such as 美味 (měiwèi, delicious) or 健康 (jiànkāng, healthy).
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 食物 as a direct substitute for individual dishes, leading to phrases like '我喜欢食物' (I like food) when they mean 'I like this dish.' Instead, they should specify the dish with 菜, saying '我喜欢这道菜' (I like this dish).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 食物
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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.
食物 (shíwù) refers to food in a general sense, encompassing all types of edible items that can be consumed for nourishment. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about meals, dietary habits, or culinary preferences.
When to use 食物
Common mistakes include confusing 食物 with simpler terms like 吃 (chī, to eat) or 餐 (cān, meal), which refer to actions or specific meals rather than the general concept of food. 食物 is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid using it when specifically referring to dishes or meals, where terms like 菜 (cài) or 餐点 (cāndiǎn) might be more appropriate.
食物 or something close to it
✓ 食品 (shípǐn) vs 食物 (shíwù) — use 食品 when referring specifically to food products, especially in commercial contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 食物 as a direct substitute for individual dishes, leading to phrases like '我喜欢食物' (I like food) when they mean 'I like this dish.' Instead, they should specify the dish with 菜, saying '我喜欢这道菜' (I like this dish).
Write 食物
食
物
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Grammar patterns of 食物
食物 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Scientists are researching how to enhance the nutritional value of food through gene editing technology.
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Cultural Notes for 食物
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While food is a universal concept, the emphasis on communal dining and the intricate rituals surrounding meals in Chinese culture often contrasts with more individualistic dining habits found in many Western cultures.
Frequently asked questions about 食物
食物 refers to food in a general sense, while 食品 specifically denotes processed food items, often with a focus on their safety and quality.
No, it's more appropriate to use 食物 for general food items; for specific dishes, terms like 菜 or 餐点 are better.
No, 食物 encompasses all types of food, including liquids, but it is less common to use it for drinks specifically.
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