Meanings of 食物
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Podcast: 食物
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AI Study Notes for 食物
✓ 食品 (shípǐn) vs 食物 (shíwù) — use 食品 when referring specifically to food products, especially in commercial contexts.
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.
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).
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).
Pronunciation of 食物
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Component Characters
How to say food in Chinese
“food” in Chinese is食物
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
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Practice writing 食物 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
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这种办法可以保存____，并且能保存很久。
This method can preserve food, and it can preserve it for a long time.
Example Sentences for 食物 (10)
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Cultural Notes for 食物
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.
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