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素食 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
素食
sùshí
vegetables
HSK 7, n, 19 strokes, rank #9389, Very Hard
素食
sùshí
vegetarian food
HSK 7, n, 19 strokes, rank #9389, Very Hard
sùshí(su4shi2)su shi T4
1vegetables
2vegetarian food
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March 24, 2026
素食sùshí(su4shi2)
素食 (sùshí) refers to vegetarian food, which primarily consists of vegetables, grains, and other plant-based ingredients. This term is commonly used in the context of dietary choices and lifestyle, particularly among individuals who abstain from meat and animal products for health, ethical, or religious reasons.
Strokes19Frequency#9389DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In China, the concept of 素食 has deep roots in Buddhist culture, where vegetarianism is encouraged as a means of promoting compassion towards all living beings. Many Buddhist temples offer 素食 meals that are both traditional and elaborate, reflecting a rich culinary heritage.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'suit' (sounds like 'su') made entirely of 'vegetables' (the 'shi' part). Picture a person wearing a suit made of lettuce and carrots, emphasizing that they choose to eat vegetarian food. This image helps connect the sound to the concept of plant-based meals.
Meanings of 素食
sùshí(su4shi2)
1vegetables
2vegetarian food
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 素食
素食Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9389Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 素食
Podcast: 素食
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AI study notes for 素食
Quick Contrast
素食 (sùshí) vs 蔬菜 (shūcài): Choose 素食 when referring to vegetarian food in general, whereas 蔬菜 specifically means vegetables.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 素食 with the term '素菜' (sùcài), which specifically refers to vegetarian dishes rather than the broader category of vegetarian food. In informal contexts, you might hear people simply say '素' (sù) to refer to vegetarian options. Remember to use the correct tone: 'sù' is pronounced with a falling tone, while 'shí' has a rising tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 素食 connects with other vocabulary related to food and dietary preferences. Students should focus on using it in contexts discussing health, lifestyle choices, or social issues, as well as understanding its usage in different types of dining scenarios.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 素食 with '清真' (qīngzhēn), which refers to halal food; these concepts are distinct. For example, saying '我吃清真' (wǒ chī qīngzhēn) when referring to vegetarian food is incorrect; instead, use '我吃素食' (wǒ chī sùshí).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 素食
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素食 (sùshí) refers to vegetarian food, which primarily consists of vegetables, grains, and other plant-based ingredients. This term is commonly used in the context of dietary choices and lifestyle, particularly among individuals who abstain from meat and animal products for health, ethical, or religious reasons.
When to use 素食
Be careful not to confuse 素食 with the term '素菜' (sùcài), which specifically refers to vegetarian dishes rather than the broader category of vegetarian food. In informal contexts, you might hear people simply say '素' (sù) to refer to vegetarian options. Remember to use the correct tone: 'sù' is pronounced with a falling tone, while 'shí' has a rising tone.
素食 or something close to it
素食 (sùshí) vs 蔬菜 (shūcài): Choose 素食 when referring to vegetarian food in general, whereas 蔬菜 specifically means vegetables.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 素食 with '清真' (qīngzhēn), which refers to halal food; these concepts are distinct. For example, saying '我吃清真' (wǒ chī qīngzhēn) when referring to vegetarian food is incorrect; instead, use '我吃素食' (wǒ chī sùshí).
Write 素食
素
食
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Grammar patterns of 素食
素食 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.
____汉堡是一种迅速传到了英国的新开发食品。
The vegetarian burger was an innovation which was rapidly exported to Britain.
Example sentences for 素食 (10)
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nvegetables9
1
素食汉堡是一种迅速传到了英国的新开发食品。
sùshí hàn bǎo shì yī zhǒng xùnsù chuán dào le Yīng guó de xīn kāifā shípǐn。
The vegetarian burger was an innovation which was rapidly exported to Britain.
2
她宣称是个素食主义者。
tā xuānchēng shì gè sùshí zhǔyì zhě。
She is an avowed vegetarian.
3
菜单每周都有变化，通常包含可供严格的素食者选择的菜肴。
càidān měi zhōu dōu yǒu biànhuà， tōngcháng bāohán kě gōng yángé de sùshí zhě xuǎnzé de càiyáo。
The menu changes weekly and usually includes a vegan option.
4
在这个城市的农贸市场，你可以找到种类繁多的新鲜素食。
Zài zhège chéngshì de nóngmào shìchǎng, nǐ kěyǐ zhǎodào zhǒnglèi fánduō de xīnxiān sùshí.
At the farmers' market in this city, you can find a wide variety of fresh vegetables.
5
为了保证食物的多样性，她在每顿饭里都加入不同的素食。
Wèile bǎozhèng shíwù de duōyàngxìng, tā zài měidùn fàn lǐ dōu jiārù bùtóng de sùshí.
To ensure the diversity of food, she adds different vegetables to every meal.
Many people choose vegetables as part of a healthy diet, especially when they need to lose weight.
nvegetarian food1
10
随着健康饮食趋势的增加，越来越多的餐厅开始提供多样化的素食餐点。
Suízhe jiànkāng yǐnshí qūshì de zēngjiā, yuè lái yuè duō de cāntīng kāishǐ tígōng duōyànghuà de sùshí cāndiǎn.
With the rise of healthy eating trends, more and more restaurants are starting to offer a variety of vegetarian food options.
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Cultural Notes for 素食
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, vegetarianism is often seen as a dietary choice linked to health trends, while in China, it is more frequently associated with spiritual beliefs and traditional practices.
Frequently asked questions about 素食
素食 includes a wide range of plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and dairy products if the person consumes them.
Yes, many restaurants in China, especially those near temples or in larger cities, offer a variety of 素食 dishes catering to vegetarians.
Not necessarily; 素食 can include dairy and eggs, while vegan food excludes all animal products.
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