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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to food or eating with 食 (shí)

    Topic & Focus

    Explanation

    食 (shí) means "food" or "to eat" and is a classical or formal term that appears in many compound words related to eating and cuisine. It is more literary than the everyday 吃 (chī) but is commonly seen in written Chinese and set phrases. Examples include 食物 (food) and 饮食 (diet).

    Examples

    • 中国的饮食文化非常丰富。

      Zhōngguó de yǐnshí wénhuà fēicháng fēngfù.

      China's food culture is very rich.

    • 这家餐厅的食材都是当天新鲜的。

      Zhè jiā cāntīng de shícái dōu shì dāngtiān xīnxiān de.

      The ingredients at this restaurant are all fresh from the same day.

    • 注意食品安全对健康很重要。

      Zhùyì shípǐn ānquán duì jiànkāng hěn zhòngyào.

      Paying attention to food safety is very important for health.

    Referring to food or eating with 食 (shí) | Chinese Grammar