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A1 noun #1,000 가장 일반적인 12분 분량

食物

shiwu 상위 1,000

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the most basic and essential vocabulary for survival and daily life, and '食物' (shíwù) is one of the very first nouns taught. At this stage, the focus is purely on recognizing the word as the direct translation for 'food' and using it in simple, declarative sentences. Learners practice pairing it with basic verbs like '吃' (chī - to eat), '买' (mǎi - to buy), and '喜欢' (xǐhuan - to like). For example, a beginner will learn to say '我喜欢中国食物' (I like Chinese food) or '去超市买食物' (go to the supermarket to buy food). The grammar at this level is straightforward, usually following the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure without complex modifiers. The goal is simply to communicate basic needs and preferences regarding sustenance. Teachers will often use flashcards showing various edible items and categorize them all under this single umbrella term. Students are not yet expected to differentiate between this word and other synonyms like '食品' or '饭菜'; the primary objective is to build a foundational vocabulary that allows them to navigate basic scenarios like grocery shopping or expressing hunger. Pronunciation practice focuses on the second tone of 'shí' and the fourth tone of 'wù', ensuring clarity in spoken communication.

Moving into the A2 level, learners begin to expand their ability to describe '食物' (shíwù) using a wider variety of adjectives and basic measure words. Instead of just saying 'food', they learn to express concepts like '健康的食物' (healthy food), '好吃的食物' (delicious food), or '很多食物' (a lot of food). They are introduced to the measure word '种' (zhǒng - kind/type), allowing them to say '这种食物' (this kind of food). Sentences become slightly more complex, incorporating conjunctions and basic time words. For instance, an A2 learner might say, '我昨天吃了一种很好吃的食物' (I ate a very delicious kind of food yesterday). Furthermore, learners at this stage start to encounter the word in slightly broader contexts, such as reading simple signs in a supermarket or understanding basic menus, although menus typically list specific dishes rather than using the general category word. The distinction between 'food' as a general category and 'meal' (饭) starts to be gently introduced, helping learners avoid the common mistake of saying '食物做好了' instead of '饭做好了'. The focus remains on practical, everyday communication, but with added descriptive power.

At the B1 intermediate level, the usage of '食物' (shíwù) becomes more nuanced, and learners are expected to understand its proper context compared to synonyms. This is the stage where the distinction between '食物' (general food/sustenance) and '食品' (processed/commercial food products) is explicitly taught. Learners begin to discuss topics related to health, diet, and lifestyle, using phrases like '垃圾食物' (junk food), '有机食物' (organic food), and '食物过敏' (food allergies). They can construct complex sentences expressing opinions and giving advice, such as '为了保持健康，你应该多吃新鲜的食物，少吃垃圾食物' (To stay healthy, you should eat more fresh food and less junk food). The vocabulary surrounding the word expands to include verbs like '浪费' (làngfèi - to waste) and '储存' (chǔcún - to store). B1 learners can also understand short articles or news clips about food culture or basic nutrition. They are expected to know that while '食物' is the correct word for biological sustenance, casually asking a friend to grab a bite is better expressed with '吃点东西' (eat something). This level marks the transition from simple survival Chinese to more conversational and culturally appropriate usage.

By the B2 upper-intermediate level, learners are engaging with '食物' (shíwù) in more abstract, formal, and societal contexts. The word is no longer just about personal consumption; it is discussed in relation to global issues, science, and culture. Learners encounter terms like '食物链' (food chain), '食物中毒' (food poisoning), and '食物短缺' (food shortage). They can read and comprehend news reports, opinion pieces, and documentaries that use these terms. Grammar structures become more sophisticated, utilizing passive voice (被动句) or complex conditional clauses. For example: '如果全球变暖继续下去，很多动物将面临食物短缺的问题' (If global warming continues, many animals will face the problem of food shortages). At this level, learners are fully aware of the register of the word—they know it sounds slightly formal or scientific when used in casual dining scenarios, and they expertly navigate between '食物', '食品', '饮食' (diet), and '餐饮' (food and beverage industry) depending on the context. They can write essays discussing the cultural significance of food in China, referencing idioms like '民以食为天', and can debate topics like vegetarianism or food safety regulations with a high degree of fluency.

At the C1 advanced level, the mastery of '食物' (shíwù) involves an intuitive understanding of its collocations, idiomatic usage, and literary presence. Learners can seamlessly integrate the word into highly complex, academic, or professional discourse. They might read scientific papers on nutrition, agricultural reports, or historical texts discussing famine and sustenance. The vocabulary paired with the word is highly advanced, including verbs like '摄取' (shèqǔ - to ingest/absorb), '匮乏' (kuìfá - to be deficient/short of), and '赐予' (cìyǔ - to bestow). A C1 learner can effortlessly produce sentences like '在极端恶劣的生存环境下，寻找高热量的食物成为了维持生命体征的首要任务' (In extremely harsh survival environments, finding high-calorie food becomes the primary task for maintaining vital signs). They also understand the subtle rhetorical effects of using this word instead of its synonyms in literature or persuasive writing. Furthermore, they are comfortable with specialized terminology in fields like biology, ecology, and medicine where '食物' forms the base of compound nouns. The focus is on precision, eloquence, and the ability to adapt the language to any professional or academic setting without hesitation.

At the C2 mastery level, the learner's use of '食物' (shíwù) is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. They possess a deep, comprehensive understanding of the word's etymology, its cultural resonance, and its precise application across all possible domains—from poetry and classical literature to cutting-edge scientific research and legal documents. They can play with the word stylistically, using it metaphorically to refer to 'food for thought' (精神食物 - spiritual food) or intellectual nourishment. A C2 user can effortlessly navigate ancient texts where the character '食' might function differently, and they understand how modern terms evolved. They can debate complex socio-economic policies regarding food security (粮食安全 vs 食物供应) with absolute precision in vocabulary choice. They are acutely aware of regional variations in how food-related terms are used across Mainland China, Taiwan, and other Chinese-speaking regions. At this pinnacle of language proficiency, '食物' is not just a vocabulary item to be translated; it is a conceptual tool used to articulate profound thoughts on human existence, culture, biology, and society with flawless grammatical execution and perfect pragmatic appropriateness.

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

食物 30초 만에

The most basic and general Chinese word for 'food' or 'sustenance'.
Used for categories (healthy food, pet food) and scientific contexts (food chain).
Not typically used to compliment a specific cooked dish or meal.
Often paired with measure words like 种 (kind) or 份 (portion).

The Chinese word 食物 (shíwù) is the fundamental and most direct translation for the English word 'food'. It is a noun that encompasses any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink in order to maintain life and growth. In everyday Chinese, this word is highly versatile and is used across various contexts, from casual conversations about daily meals to formal discussions regarding nutrition, biology, and global food supplies. Understanding how to use this word properly is essential for any Chinese learner, as food plays an incredibly central role in Chinese culture, famously encapsulated in the idiom '民以食为天' (mín yǐ shí wéi tiān), which translates to 'the people regard food as their heaven' or 'food is the most important thing to the people'.

Literal Breakdown: The word consists of two characters: 食 (shí), meaning 'to eat' or 'food', and 物 (wù), meaning 'object', 'thing', or 'matter'. Together, they literally mean 'edible things' or 'things to eat'.

我需要去超市买一些食物。

I need to go to the supermarket to buy some food.

When people use this word, they are usually referring to food in a general, collective, or categorical sense. For example, if you are talking about 'healthy food', 'junk food', or 'pet food', you would use this term. It is less commonly used to refer to a specific dish on a table (which would be 菜 - cài) or a specific meal (which would be 饭 - fàn). Instead, it acts as the overarching category. This distinction is crucial for learners who might try to translate 'the food is ready' literally, which in Chinese is more naturally expressed as '饭做好了' (the meal is ready) rather than using the word for the general category of edible items.

Categorical Usage: Used when classifying types of sustenance, such as 健康食物 (healthy food), 垃圾食物 (junk food), or 狗食物/狗粮 (dog food).

这种食物对身体很好。

This kind of food is very good for the body.

In emergency situations, survival contexts, or biological discussions, this is the exact word used. For instance, animals searching for sustenance in the wild are looking for this exact term. Charities providing aid will distribute this. It strips away the culinary artistry implied by 'cuisine' and focuses on the fundamental biological necessity of nourishment. Therefore, it carries a slightly more objective, scientific, or formal tone compared to casual words for eating.

Scientific Context: Frequently appears in terms like 食物链 (food chain) and 食物中毒 (food poisoning).

人类位于食物链的顶端。

Humans are at the top of the food chain.

Furthermore, in the context of allergies, you will often hear this word. If someone has a food allergy, they have a 食物过敏 (shíwù guòmǐn). When doctors ask about your diet, they will inquire about the types of sustenance you consume using this terminology. It is universally understood across all Chinese-speaking regions, from Mainland China to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and diaspora communities, making it a highly reliable and essential vocabulary word for any beginner to master early on.

他对海鲜类食物过敏。

He is allergic to seafood-type food.

请不要浪费食物。

Please do not waste food.

Using 食物 correctly in a sentence involves understanding its common collocations—the verbs and adjectives that naturally pair with it. Because it is a noun representing a physical object, it typically serves as the direct object of verbs related to consumption, purchasing, preparation, and preservation. The most basic verb, of course, is 吃 (chī - to eat). However, as you advance in your Chinese learning journey, you will need to pair it with more sophisticated verbs to express complex ideas about diet, nutrition, and food security.

Common Verbs: Verbs frequently used include: 提供 (tígōng - to provide), 浪费 (làngfèi - to waste), 储存 (chǔcún - to store), and 消化 (xiāohuà - to digest).

冰箱可以帮助我们储存食物。

A refrigerator can help us store food.

When describing the qualities of sustenance, Chinese employs a variety of adjectives. You can describe it based on its taste, nutritional value, or origin. Common adjectives include 美味的 (měiwèi de - delicious), 丰富的 (fēngfù de - abundant/rich), 新鲜的 (xīnxiān de - fresh), and 变质的 (biànzhì de - spoiled). Notice that the particle 的 (de) is typically used to connect these adjectives to the noun, forming a descriptive phrase. This structure is fundamental to Chinese grammar and allows for highly specific descriptions of what you are eating.

Descriptive Adjectives: Pairing with adjectives: 新鲜的食物 (fresh food), 有机食物 (organic food), 辣的食物 (spicy food).

多吃新鲜的食物对健康有益。

Eating more fresh food is beneficial to health.

Another important grammatical aspect is the use of measure words (classifiers). While 'food' is uncountable in English, in Chinese, you must use a measure word when specifying an amount or a type. The most common measure word for types or categories is 种 (zhǒng). If you want to say 'this kind of food', you say 这种食物 (zhè zhǒng shíwù). If you are talking about a specific portion or serving, you might use 份 (fèn), as in 一份食物 (yí fèn shíwù - a portion of food). Understanding these measure words is critical for sounding natural.

Measure Words: Use 种 (zhǒng) for types/kinds, and 份 (fèn) for portions/servings.

我从来没有吃过这种食物。

I have never eaten this kind of food before.

冬天到了，动物们开始寻找食物。

Winter has arrived, and the animals are starting to look for food.

我们需要为派对准备足够的食物。

We need to prepare enough food for the party.

The word 食物 is ubiquitous in Chinese-speaking environments, but its usage is often tied to specific contexts rather than casual dining. You will frequently hear it in supermarkets and grocery stores, especially over the public address system or on signage. For example, signs might direct you to the '宠物食物' (pet food) aisle or the '冷冻食物' (frozen food) section. In these retail environments, it serves as a clear, unambiguous category label that helps shoppers navigate large stores. It is also heavily used in advertising, where companies promote the health benefits or purity of their edible products.

Retail & Shopping: Commonly seen on aisle signs, product packaging, and promotional materials in supermarkets.

这家超市的食物种类非常多。

This supermarket has a very large variety of food.

Another major domain where this word is constantly used is in news media and public health announcements. Topics such as 'food safety' (食物安全 or 食品安全) are major issues in modern society, and news anchors use this term when discussing regulations, recalls, or health standards. Similarly, during times of natural disasters, reporters will talk about the delivery of 'food and water' (食物和水) to affected areas. In these formal and serious contexts, the word carries a weight of necessity and survival, distinguishing it from words used for culinary enjoyment.

News & Public Health: Used in reports about food safety, famine, disaster relief, and nutritional guidelines.

政府正在向灾区运送食物。

The government is transporting food to the disaster area.

In educational settings, particularly in biology or health classes, this term is standard. Teachers explain how the human body digests sustenance, how plants produce their own nourishment, and how the food chain operates in an ecosystem. Documentaries about nature and wildlife will constantly use this word to describe the hunting and foraging behaviors of animals. Therefore, if you enjoy watching Chinese nature documentaries or reading about science, this word will be one of the most frequent nouns you encounter.

Education & Science: Standard terminology in biology for discussing digestion, ecosystems, and animal behavior.

植物通过光合作用制造食物。

Plants manufacture food through photosynthesis.

医生建议我多吃富含维生素的食物。

The doctor advised me to eat more food rich in vitamins.

这只流浪狗正在垃圾桶里找食物。

This stray dog is looking for food in the trash can.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning Chinese is overusing the word 食物 because they map it directly 1-to-1 with the English word 'food'. While the translation is accurate in a dictionary sense, the pragmatic usage in daily life is different. For example, in English, you might say 'The food is ready!' when calling your family to dinner. If you translate this literally to '食物准备好了' (shíwù zhǔnbèi hǎo le), it sounds extremely unnatural, almost as if you are a scientist announcing that the biological nutrients have been synthesized. The correct and natural way to say this is '饭做好了' (fàn zuò hǎo le - the meal is cooked).

Mistake: Dining Contexts: Using this word to refer to a specific meal or dish on the table. Use 饭 (meal) or 菜 (dish) instead.

❌ 妈妈，食物好了吗？
✅ 妈妈，饭做好了吗？

Mom, is the food (meal) ready?

Another common error involves complimenting a chef or a host. In English, it is perfectly normal to say, 'This food is delicious!' However, saying '这个食物很好吃' (zhège shíwù hěn hǎochī) in Chinese sounds slightly detached and clinical. It implies you are evaluating the edible substance rather than appreciating the culinary skill. To sound like a native speaker, you should say '这道菜很好吃' (zhè dào cài hěn hǎochī - this dish is delicious) or simply '很好吃' (hěn hǎochī - very delicious). Reserve the main vocabulary word for broader categories, like 'I love Mexican food' (我喜欢墨西哥食物).

Mistake: Complimenting: Using it to praise a specific cooked dish. It sounds too clinical.

❌ 你做的食物真棒！
✅ 你做的菜真棒！

The food (dishes) you made is great!

Learners also confuse this word with 食品 (shípǐn). While both translate to 'food', 食品 specifically refers to processed, manufactured, or commercially packaged food products. For example, you would buy 食品 at a convenience store, and the industry is called the 食品工业 (food industry). If you are talking about raw vegetables, an apple picked from a tree, or the general concept of eating to survive, you must use the main vocabulary word. Using 食品 to describe a home-cooked meal or natural produce is a subtle but noticeable vocabulary error.

Mistake: Processed vs Natural: Confusing it with 食品, which strictly means manufactured or processed food products.

❌ 树上长满了美味的食品。
✅ 树上长满了美味的食物。

The tree is full of delicious food.

❌ 我们去餐厅吃点食物吧。
✅ 我们去餐厅吃点东西吧。

Let's go to the restaurant and eat some food (things).

❌ 狗正在吃它的食品。
✅ 狗正在吃它的食物。

The dog is eating its food.

The Chinese language is incredibly rich when it comes to vocabulary related to eating and nourishment. While 食物 is the most general term, there are several alternatives that you must learn to distinguish in order to achieve fluency. The most closely related word is 食品 (shípǐn). As mentioned in the common mistakes section, 食品 refers to food as a manufactured product or commodity. It is the word used in business, trade, and regulation. For example, 'food hygiene' is 食品卫生 (shípǐn wèishēng), and 'food additives' are 食品添加剂 (shípǐn tiānjiājì). Understanding this distinction is vital for reading news or business Chinese.

食品 (shípǐn): Processed, manufactured, or packaged food products. Used in commercial and regulatory contexts.

这家工厂生产各种冷冻食品，而不是天然食物。

This factory produces various frozen food products, not natural food.

Another very common alternative is 东西 (dōngxi), which literally means 'things' or 'stuff'. In casual spoken Chinese, people rarely use the formal word for food when suggesting getting something to eat. Instead, they say 吃点东西 (chī diǎn dōngxi - eat a little something/stuff). This is the most natural and colloquial way to express the idea of grabbing a bite. It is relaxed, informal, and universally used among friends and family. If you want to sound like a native speaker in a casual setting, substitute the formal noun with 'things' when the context of eating is already clear from the verb.

东西 (dōngxi): Literally 'things'. Used casually with the verb 吃 (to eat) to mean 'something to eat'.

我饿了，我们去买点东西吃吧，不需要买太多食物。

I'm hungry, let's go buy something to eat, no need to buy too much food.

For more specific contexts, you might encounter 粮食 (liángshi) and 饭菜 (fàncài). 粮食 specifically refers to grain, cereals, or staple crops (like rice, wheat, and corn) that form the foundation of a population's diet. It is often used in historical contexts, agricultural discussions, or when talking about national food security. On the other hand, 饭菜 refers specifically to the prepared meal—the rice (饭) and the dishes (菜) that are served on the table. When you want to compliment a host's cooking, you praise their 饭菜, not their raw ingredients or biological sustenance.

粮食 (liángshi) & 饭菜 (fàncài): 粮食 means grain/staples (agricultural). 饭菜 means the prepared meal/dishes on the table.

农民们辛勤劳作，种出了我们需要的粮食，这些粮食最终变成了我们桌上的食物。

Farmers work hard to grow the grain we need, which eventually becomes the food on our tables.

妈妈做的饭菜比外面的食物好吃多了。

The meals mom cooks are much more delicious than the food outside.

健康的饮食习惯要求我们选择营养丰富的食物。

Healthy dietary habits require us to choose nutrient-rich food.

How Formal Is It?

격식체

"该地区正面临严重的食物短缺问题。"

중립

"我们需要去超市买一些食物。"

비격식체

"家里没吃的了，去买点食物吧。 (Often just '买点东西' or '买点吃的')"

Child friendly

"小狗狗饿了，我们给它一点食物吧！"

속어

"(Not typically used in slang. Slang for food/eating usually involves '吃的' or specific dishes.)"

재미있는 사실

The character 食 (shí) is also a radical (the 'food' radical, 飠 or 饣). When you see this radical on the left side of a Chinese character, it almost always means the word is related to food or eating, such as 饭 (rice/meal), 饿 (hungry), 饱 (full), and 饼 (cake/biscuit).

발음 가이드

UK /ʂɻ̩³⁵ u⁵¹/

US /ʂɻ̩³⁵ u⁵¹/

The stress is relatively equal, but the sharp falling tone of the second syllable (wù) often makes it sound slightly more emphatic to English ears.

라임이 맞는 단어

植物 (zhíwù - plant) 动物 (dòngwù - animal) 礼物 (lǐwù - gift) 人物 (rénwù - character/person) 事物 (shìwù - thing/matter) 怪物 (guàiwù - monster) 宠物 (chǒngwù - pet) 药物 (yàowù - medicine)

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing 'shí' as 'she'. The 'i' after 'sh' in pinyin represents a retroflex vowel, not an 'ee' sound. It sounds more like the 'ir' in 'shirt'.
Ignoring the tones. Saying 'shī wū' (Tone 1, Tone 1) sounds like a completely different, nonsensical word.
Pronouncing 'wù' as 'wu-uh' with two syllables. It should be a single, sharp, falling syllable.
Failing to retroflex the 'sh'. The tongue should be curled back slightly when saying 'shí'.
Confusing it with 'shíwù' (实物 - real object), which has the exact same pinyin and tones. Context is key to differentiate them.

난이도

독해 1/5

The characters are very common. '食' is a basic radical, and '物' is used in many beginner words like 动物 (animal).

쓰기 2/5

'食' has 9 strokes and '物' has 8. They are not overly complex, but '食' requires proper proportion.

말하기 1/5

The tones (2nd and 4th) are distinct and relatively easy for English speakers to produce.

듣기 1/5

Clear and distinct pronunciation. Rarely confused with other words in context.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

吃 (eat) 喝 (drink) 水 (water) 买 (buy) 东西 (thing)

다음에 배울 것

食品 (processed food) 饭 (meal) 菜 (dish) 饿 (hungry) 饱 (full)

고급

营养 (nutrition) 消化 (digestion) 摄取 (intake) 匮乏 (deficient) 农业 (agriculture)

알아야 할 문법

Measure Words for Nouns

一种食物 (one kind of food) - Nouns in Chinese require measure words when quantified.

Adjective + 的 + Noun

美味的食物 (delicious food) - The particle 的 connects the descriptive adjective to the noun.

Subject + 在 + Location + Verb

狗在厨房里找食物 (The dog is looking for food in the kitchen) - Location phrases come before the verb.

Negative Imperative (不要)

不要浪费食物 (Do not waste food) - Use 不要 to tell someone not to do something.

Passive Voice with 被

食物被吃光了 (The food was eaten all up) - The object becomes the subject to emphasize the action.

수준별 예문

这是什么食物？

What food is this?

Basic 'what' question using 什么 (shénme).

我喜欢吃这种食物。

I like to eat this kind of food.

Using 这种 (zhè zhǒng) as a measure word phrase.

我们需要买食物。

We need to buy food.

Basic SVO structure with auxiliary verb 需要 (xūyào).

狗在吃食物。

The dog is eating food.

Using 在 (zài) to indicate continuous action.

桌子上面有食物。

There is food on the table.

Location word + 有 (yǒu) + noun.

我不喜欢那个食物。

I don't like that food.

Negative sentence with 不 (bù).

超市里有很多食物。

There is a lot of food in the supermarket.

Using 很多 (hěn duō) to indicate a large quantity.

你的食物在这里。

Your food is here.

Possessive 的 (de) and location 在这里 (zài zhèlǐ).

这种食物非常健康。

This kind of food is very healthy.

Using degree adverb 非常 (fēicháng).

请不要浪费食物。

Please do not waste food.

Imperative sentence with 请不要 (qǐng búyào).

昨天我买了很多新鲜的食物。

Yesterday I bought a lot of fresh food.

Time word 昨天 (zuótiān) at the beginning, and adjective + 的 + noun.

大象每天需要吃很多食物。

Elephants need to eat a lot of food every day.

Time frequency 每天 (měitiān).

冰箱里没有食物了。

There is no food left in the fridge.

Negative possession 没有 (méiyǒu) + change of state 了 (le).

你最喜欢的食物是什么？

What is your favorite food?

Superlative 最 (zuì) + verb.

这些食物是给猫买的。

These foods were bought for the cat.

是...的 (shì...de) construction for emphasizing purpose/recipient.

他吃完了所有的食物。

He finished eating all the food.

Resultative complement 完 (wán).

医生建议我多吃富含蛋白质的食物。

The doctor advised me to eat more food rich in protein.

Complex noun phrase with 富含 (fùhán - rich in).

因为天气太热，食物很快就变质了。

Because the weather was too hot, the food spoiled very quickly.

Cause and effect conjunction 因为 (yīnwèi) and adverb 就 (jiù).

他对某些海鲜类食物严重过敏。

He is severely allergic to certain seafood-type foods.

Preposition 对 (duì) + noun + 过敏 (guòmǐn).

在野外生存时，寻找干净的水和食物是最重要的。

When surviving in the wild, finding clean water and food is the most important thing.

Time clause with 的时候/时 (de shíhou/shí).

快餐通常被认为是垃圾食物。

Fast food is usually considered junk food.

Passive voice 被认为是 (bèi rènwéi shì).

这家慈善机构为无家可归的人提供免费食物。

This charity organization provides free food for homeless people.

Preposition 为 (wèi) indicating recipient.

我们应该养成不挑食的好习惯，接受各种食物。

We should develop the good habit of not being picky eaters and accept all kinds of food.

Verb phrase acting as a modifier for 习惯 (xíguàn).

虽然这种食物看起来很奇怪，但味道其实不错。

Although this food looks strange, the taste is actually not bad.

Conjunctions 虽然...但 (suīrán...dàn).

人类处于地球食物链的顶端。

Humans are at the top of the Earth's food chain.

Compound noun 食物链 (shíwùliàn) and spatial metaphor 顶端 (dǐngduān).

由于供应链中断，该地区面临严重的食物短缺。

Due to supply chain disruptions, the region is facing severe food shortages.

Formal cause 由于 (yóuyú) and formal verb 面临 (miànlín).

为了延长食物的保质期，人们发明了许多防腐技术。

In order to extend the shelf life of food, people invented many preservation technologies.

Purpose clause 为了 (wèile).

这起食物中毒事件引起了社会各界的广泛关注。

This food poisoning incident has attracted widespread attention from all sectors of society.

Formal phrasing 引起了...广泛关注 (yǐnqǐ le... guǎngfàn guānzhù).

植物通过光合作用将太阳能转化为自身所需的食物。

Plants convert solar energy into the food they need through photosynthesis.

Preposition 通过 (tōngguò) and 把/将 structure for transformation.

随着生活水平的提高，人们对食物的质量要求也越来越高。

With the improvement of living standards, people's demands for food quality are getting higher and higher.

Correlation 随着...也 (suízhe... yě).

在某些文化中，特定的食物被赋予了象征意义。

In certain cultures, specific foods are endowed with symbolic meaning.

Passive voice 被赋予了 (bèi fùyǔ le).

科学家们正在研究如何利用昆虫作为未来的替代食物来源。

Scientists are researching how to use insects as an alternative food source for the future.

Complex object clause after 研究 (yánjiū).

在漫长的进化过程中，动物演化出了各种获取食物的独特策略。

Over the long course of evolution, animals have evolved various unique strategies for acquiring food.

Complex noun phrase modifying 策略 (cèlüè).

过度依赖单一农作物作为主要食物来源，会极大增加农业系统的脆弱性。

Over-reliance on a single crop as the main food source will greatly increase the vulnerability of the agricultural system.

Subject clause starting with 过度依赖 (guòdù yīlài).

该纪录片深刻揭示了现代工业化食物生产背后的生态代价。

The documentary profoundly reveals the ecological costs behind modern industrialized food production.

Formal verb 揭示 (jiēshì) and abstract noun 代价 (dàijià).

对于那些处于饥饿边缘的人来说，食物不仅仅是果腹之物，更是生存的希望。

For those on the brink of starvation, food is not just something to fill the belly, but the hope of survival.

Not only... but also structure 不仅仅是...更是 (bù jǐnjǐn shì... gèng shì).

大脑消耗的能量占人体总消耗的很大一部分，因此需要源源不断的食物供给。

The energy consumed by the brain accounts for a large part of the body's total consumption, thus requiring a continuous supply of food.

Logical connector 因此 (yīncǐ) and idiom 源源不断 (yuányuán búduàn).

在物质极度匮乏的年代，任何可以入口的植物或动物都被视为珍贵的食物。

In times of extreme material scarcity, any plant or animal that could be ingested was regarded as precious food.

Passive construction 被视为 (bèi shìwéi).

这本小说以食物为线索，串联起了主人公跨越半个世纪的悲欢离合。

This novel uses food as a thread to connect the protagonist's joys and sorrows spanning half a century.

Prepositional phrase 以...为线索 (yǐ... wéi xiànsuǒ).

基因编辑技术的应用，为解决全球食物危机提供了一种极具潜力的技术路径。

The application of gene-editing technology provides a highly potential technological pathway for solving the global food crisis.

Formal academic structure 为...提供了... (wèi... tígōng le...).

从人类学视角审视，食物的获取、分配与消费模式，无不深刻烙印着阶级与权力的隐喻。

Examined from an anthropological perspective, the modes of food acquisition, distribution, and consumption are all profoundly imprinted with metaphors of class and power.

Highly academic phrasing with 无不 (wúbù - all without exception) and 烙印着 (làoyìn zhe - imprinted with).

在全球化语境下，地方性食物的商品化往往伴随着文化原真性的消解与重构。

In the context of globalization, the commodification of local food is often accompanied by the dissolution and reconstruction of cultural authenticity.

Abstract sociological terminology (商品化, 原真性, 消解).

他将阅读视为精神的食物，每日手不释卷，以此来抵御现实生活的庸常与匮乏。

He regards reading as spiritual food, never letting a book out of his hands daily, using this to ward off the banality and deprivation of real life.

Metaphorical use 精神的食物 (jīngshén de shíwù) and idiom 手不释卷 (shǒu bú shì juàn).

面对日益严峻的极端气候，构建具有韧性的食物系统已成为各国政府不可推卸的战略考量。

Facing increasingly severe extreme climates, building a resilient food system has become an unshirkable strategic consideration for governments of all countries.

Policy and strategic discourse (具有韧性的, 不可推卸的).

先秦典籍中关于祭祀食物的繁文缛节，实则是古代先民敬畏自然、规范社会秩序的具象化表达。

The elaborate rules and regulations regarding sacrificial food in pre-Qin texts are actually the concrete expression of ancient people's reverence for nature and regulation of social order.

Classical references (先秦典籍, 繁文缛节) and analytical structure 实则是 (shízé shì).

在资本逻辑的裹挟下，食物逐渐褪去了其作为生命馈赠的神圣光环，沦为纯粹的逐利工具。

Swept up by the logic of capital, food has gradually lost its sacred halo as a gift of life, degenerating into a pure tool for profit-seeking.

Critical theory vocabulary (资本逻辑的裹挟下, 褪去, 沦为).

那段饥荒岁月在老一辈人心中留下了难以磨灭的创伤，致使他们对食物抱有一种近乎宗教般的虔诚与执念。

That period of famine left an indelible trauma in the hearts of the older generation, causing them to hold an almost religious piety and obsession towards food.

Psychological and emotional depth (难以磨灭的创伤, 近乎宗教般的虔诚).

现代食品工业通过精密的化学合成，制造出刺激味蕾的超加工食物，却在无形中剥夺了人类感知天然食材本真的能力。

The modern food industry, through precise chemical synthesis, manufactures ultra-processed foods that stimulate the taste buds, yet imperceptibly deprives humans of the ability to perceive the true essence of natural ingredients.

Complex contrast and critique (超加工食物, 无形中剥夺).

자주 쓰는 조합

提供食物 (tígōng shíwù)

寻找食物 (xúnzhǎo shíwù)

浪费食物 (làngfèi shíwù)

消化食物 (xiāohuà shíwù)

新鲜的食物 (xīnxiān de shíwù)

美味的食物 (měiwèi de shíwù)

垃圾食物 (lājī shíwù)

有机食物 (yǒujī shíwù)

食物链 (shíwùliàn)

食物中毒 (shíwù zhòngdú)

자주 쓰는 구문

食物短缺 (shíwù duǎnquē)

食物过敏 (shíwù guòmǐn)

食物来源 (shíwù láiyuán)

食物残渣 (shíwù cánzhā)

宠物食物 (chǒngwù shíwù)

冷冻食物 (lěngdòng shíwù)

加工食物 (jiāgōng shíwù)

食物供应 (shíwù gōngyìng)

食物网 (shíwùwǎng)

精神食物 (jīngshén shíwù)

자주 혼동되는 단어

食物 vs 食品 (shípǐn)

食品 refers to commercially processed or packaged food. 食物 is any food, natural or processed.

食物 vs 饭 (fàn)

饭 refers to a cooked meal or cooked rice. You eat '饭' for dinner, but the category of things you eat is '食物'.

食物 vs 菜 (cài)

菜 refers to a specific cooked dish or vegetables. You order '菜' at a restaurant, not '食物'.

관용어 및 표현

"民以食为天 (mín yǐ shí wéi tiān)"

Food is the most important thing to the people. A famous idiom highlighting the central role of food in Chinese culture.

俗话说，民以食为天，农业是国家的根本。 (As the saying goes, food is the most important thing to the people; agriculture is the foundation of the country.)

Formal / Cultural

"饥不择食 (jī bù zé shí)"

When hungry, one doesn't choose their food; beggars can't be choosers. Used metaphorically when someone is desperate.

他失业很久了，找工作已经是饥不择食了。 (He has been unemployed for a long time, he is desperate in finding any job.)

Neutral

"废寝忘食 (fèi qǐn wàng shí)"

To neglect sleep and forget about food. Used to describe someone working or studying extremely hard.

为了准备考试，他这几天废寝忘食。 (To prepare for the exam, he has been neglecting sleep and food these past few days.)

Formal / Written

"丰衣足食 (fēng yī zú shí)"

Having abundant clothes and sufficient food; living a comfortable and prosperous life.

经过多年的努力，他们终于过上了丰衣足食的生活。 (After years of hard work, they finally lived a life of abundant clothes and sufficient food.)

Formal / Positive

"食不果腹 (shí bù guǒ fù)"

Food cannot fill the belly; living in extreme poverty and starvation.

在旧社会，很多穷人过着食不果腹的日子。 (In the old society, many poor people lived a life of starvation.)

Formal / Literary

"锦衣玉食 (jǐn yī yù shí)"

Brocade garments and jade-like food; a life of extreme luxury and extravagance.

他从小过着锦衣玉食的生活，不知道民间的疾苦。 (He has lived a life of luxury since childhood and doesn't know the suffering of the common people.)

Formal / Literary

"秀色可餐 (xiù sè kě cān)"

Beauty that is good enough to eat; originally described beautiful scenery, now often describes a very beautiful woman.

这里的风景真是秀色可餐。 (The scenery here is truly beautiful enough to feast upon.)

Formal / Literary

"食不知味 (shí bù zhī wèi)"

Eating without knowing the taste; unable to enjoy food due to anxiety or worry.

听到这个坏消息，他一整天都食不知味。 (Hearing this bad news, he couldn't enjoy his food all day.)

Formal / Literary

"嗟来之食 (jiē lái zhī shí)"

Food handed out in contempt; an insulting handout. Used to describe charity given disrespectfully.

他宁可饿死，也不接受这嗟来之食。 (He would rather starve to death than accept this insulting handout.)

Formal / Literary

"自食其力 (zì shí qí lì)"

To support oneself by one's own labor; to be self-reliant.

年轻人应该学会自食其力，不要总是依赖父母。 (Young people should learn to support themselves and not always rely on their parents.)

Neutral / Instructive

혼동하기 쉬운

食物 vs 食品 (shípǐn)

Both translate to 'food' in English.

食品 implies manufacturing, processing, and commercial sale (e.g., canned goods, snacks with barcodes). 食物 is the biological necessity (e.g., an apple on a tree, grass for a cow).

超市的食品区有很多冷冻食物。 (The food product section of the supermarket has a lot of frozen food.)

食物 vs 饭菜 (fàncài)

Both relate to what you eat.

饭菜 specifically means the prepared meal on the table (rice and dishes). It is used for home cooking and dining. 食物 is the raw material or general category.

妈妈做的饭菜比外面的食物好吃。 (The meal mom cooked is better than the food outside.)

食物 vs 东西 (dōngxi)

'吃东西' translates to 'eat food'.

东西 literally means 'things'. It is highly informal. 食物 is the proper noun for food.

我想吃点东西，你有什么食物吗？ (I want to eat something, do you have any food?)

食物 vs 饮食 (yǐnshí)

Both relate to sustenance.

饮食 means 'diet' or 'food and drink' as a habit or cultural concept. 食物 refers to the physical items themselves.

健康的饮食需要多吃新鲜食物。 (A healthy diet requires eating a lot of fresh food.)

食物 vs 实物 (shíwù)

Exact same pinyin (shíwù) and tones.

实物 means 'real object' or 'physical item' (as opposed to a picture or concept). 食物 means 'food'. Context easily separates them.

图片仅供参考，请以实物为准。 (Picture is for reference only, please refer to the actual object.)

문장 패턴

Subject + 喜欢/不喜欢 + 食物

我喜欢中国食物。 (I like Chinese food.)

Subject + 去 + Location + 买 + 食物

我去超市买食物。 (I go to the supermarket to buy food.)

不要 + Verb + 食物

请不要浪费食物。 (Please do not waste food.)

Adjective + 的 + 食物 + 对身体 + 好/不好

新鲜的食物对身体好。 (Fresh food is good for the body.)

因为..., 所以... 食物...

因为天气热，所以食物坏了。 (Because the weather is hot, the food spoiled.)

Subject + 为 + Recipient + 提供 + 食物

学校为学生提供食物。 (The school provides food for the students.)

面临 + 食物短缺

这个国家正面临食物短缺。 (This country is facing a food shortage.)

把 + 食物 + 转化为 + ...

植物把阳光转化为食物。 (Plants convert sunlight into food.)

어휘 가족

명사

동사

형용사

사용법

frequency

Top 1000 most common words in Chinese.

자주 하는 실수

Using 食物 to mean 'a meal'. Example: 我们的食物做好了。 → 我们的饭做好了。
'食物' refers to the biological substance or general category. '饭' (fàn) refers specifically to a prepared meal. You cook a meal (做饭), you don't cook 'food' in the abstract sense.
Saying 这个食物很好吃 to compliment a chef. → 这道菜很好吃。
Calling a cooked dish '食物' sounds clinical, like evaluating nutrients. '菜' (cài) means 'dish' and is the correct word to use when praising someone's cooking.
Confusing 食物 with 食品 when talking about processed goods. → 这家工厂生产很多食品。
'食品' specifically means manufactured, processed, or packaged food products. A factory produces '食品', not natural '食物'.
Saying 我们去吃食物吧 for 'let's go eat food'. → 我们去吃点东西吧。
While grammatically correct, '去吃食物' sounds robotic. Native speakers say '吃点东西' (eat some things) in casual conversation.
Forgetting the measure word: 我喜欢这食物。 → 我喜欢这种食物。
In Chinese, when using demonstratives (这/那), you generally need a measure word. '种' (zhǒng - kind) is the most natural fit for food categories.

팁

Don't Use for Specific Dishes

Never point to a plate of Kung Pao Chicken and call it '食物'. Call it '菜' (cài - dish). Use '食物' when talking about food in general.

Measure Words Matter

Always pair it with '种' (zhǒng) when talking about types of food. '这种食物' (this kind of food) sounds much more native than just '这食物'.

Supermarket Vocabulary

When shopping, look for signs ending in '食品' (shípǐn) for packaged goods, but you can ask the staff where the '冷冻食物' (frozen food) is.

Verbs of Action

Pair it with strong verbs: 寻找食物 (search for food), 浪费食物 (waste food), 储存食物 (store food).

Respect for Food

Wasting food is a major cultural faux pas in China. Phrases like '不要浪费食物' (don't waste food) are taught to children from a very young age.

Swap for 'Things'

In casual spoken Chinese, swap '食物' for '东西' (things) when used with the verb '吃' (eat). '吃点东西' is the ultimate native-sounding phrase.

Nail the Falling Tone

The 4th tone on 'wù' must be sharp and decisive. A weak tone will make it sound like you are mumbling.

Biology Contexts

If you are reading about animals, nature, or biology, '食物' is the go-to word. '食物链' (food chain) is a must-know compound word.

The Food Radical

Recognize the '食' character. When it is squished to the left side of other characters (饣), it means that word is related to eating (e.g., 饭, 饿).

Learn the Classic Idiom

Memorize '民以食为天' (mín yǐ shí wéi tiān). Dropping this idiom in a conversation about Chinese culture will impress any native speaker.

암기하기

기억법

Imagine a SHEEP (shí) eating WOOD (wù). The sheep is very hungry, so WOOD is its FOOD. (shí-wù = food).

시각적 연상

Picture a large wooden crate (物 - object/thing) filled with all your favorite meals (食 - eat). The crate is labeled 'FOOD'.

Word Web

食物 (Food) --> 吃 (Eat) --> 喝 (Drink) --> 饿 (Hungry) --> 饱 (Full) --> 超市 (Supermarket) --> 健康 (Healthy) --> 垃圾 (Junk)

챌린지

Next time you go to the grocery store, look at the different aisles and mentally label them in Chinese: 'This is healthy 食物', 'This is pet 食物', 'This is frozen 食物'.

어원

The word 食物 is a compound of two ancient Chinese characters. '食' (shí) is a pictograph originally depicting a food vessel with a lid, representing eating or food. '物' (wù) originally referred to a multi-colored ox, and later evolved to mean 'matter', 'thing', or 'object' in general. Combined, they form 'edible things'.

원래 의미: Edible objects; things meant for consumption.

Sino-Tibetan

문화적 맥락

During discussions with older generations who experienced the Great Chinese Famine (1959-1961), the topic of '食物短缺' (food shortage) can be sensitive and should be approached with respect.

English speakers use 'food' for almost everything (The food is ready, I love this food). In Chinese, '食物' is restricted to categories and science. You must learn to switch to '饭' (meal) or '菜' (dish) for daily dining.

《舌尖上的中国》 (A Bite of China) - A highly famous documentary series about Chinese culinary culture. 《饮食男女》 (Eat Drink Man Woman) - A classic film by Ang Lee exploring family dynamics through food. The idiom '民以食为天' (Food is heaven for the people) from the ancient text 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记).

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Supermarket Shopping

买食物 (buy food)
食物区 (food section)
冷冻食物 (frozen food)
宠物食物 (pet food)

Health and Diet

健康食物 (healthy food)
垃圾食物 (junk food)
食物过敏 (food allergy)
消化食物 (digest food)

Biology and Nature

食物链 (food chain)
寻找食物 (look for food)
食物来源 (food source)
储存食物 (store food)

News and Society

食物短缺 (food shortage)
食物安全 (food safety)
浪费食物 (waste food)
提供食物 (provide food)

Survival

水和食物 (water and food)
缺乏食物 (lack of food)
足够的食物 (enough food)
分配食物 (distribute food)

대화 시작하기

"你觉得哪种食物最健康？ (Which kind of food do you think is the healthiest?)"

"你对什么食物过敏吗？ (Are you allergic to any food?)"

"你平时喜欢吃什么类型的食物？ (What type of food do you usually like to eat?)"

"你认为我们应该如何减少食物浪费？ (How do you think we should reduce food waste?)"

"如果去荒岛，你会带什么食物？ (If you went to a deserted island, what food would you bring?)"

일기 주제

Describe your favorite kind of food and why you like it using the word 食物.

Write about a time you tried a very strange food (奇怪的食物).

Explain the importance of not wasting food (不浪费食物) in today's world.

Write a short story about an animal looking for food (寻找食物) in the winter.

Discuss the difference between healthy food (健康食物) and junk food (垃圾食物) in your diet.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Grammatically yes, but pragmatically no. It sounds like you are a scientist evaluating nutrients. Native speakers say '这个菜很好吃' (this dish is delicious) or simply '很好吃' (very delicious). Save '食物' for general categories like 'I love Italian food' (我喜欢意大利食物).

Think of '食品' as 'food products'—things that are processed, packaged, and sold in stores (like chips, canned soup). '食物' is the broader term for anything edible, including a raw apple you pick from a tree or the grass a cow eats. All 食品 are 食物, but not all 食物 are 食品.

Yes, when you are quantifying it. Since 'food' is a category, the most common measure word is '种' (zhǒng - kind/type). For example, '一种食物' (one kind of food). If you mean a portion, use '份' (fèn). If you just mean 'some food', use '一些食物' (yìxiē shíwù).

Yes, absolutely. In fact, it is the perfect word for it. You can say '狗食物' (dog food) or '动物的食物' (animal's food). For pets, there are also specific words like '狗粮' (gǒuliáng - dog kibble), but '食物' is always correct and understood.

The direct and most common translation is '垃圾食物' (lājī shíwù) or '垃圾食品' (lājī shípǐn). Both are widely used and understood by everyone to mean unhealthy, highly processed snacks and fast food.

No, Chinese words are generally strict about their part of speech in modern usage. '食物' is strictly a noun. If you want to say 'to feed', you must use a verb like '喂' (wèi) or '提供食物' (tígōng shíwù - provide food).

It is a very famous Chinese idiom that translates to 'The people regard food as their heaven'. It means that food is the absolute most important necessity for the common people. It highlights the deep cultural reverence for food and agriculture in China.

It is neutral but leans slightly formal or scientific compared to casual spoken Chinese. In casual speech, if you want to say 'let's get some food', you usually say '去吃点东西' (go eat some things) rather than '去吃食物'.

You say '食物过敏' (shíwù guòmǐn). For example, '我对海鲜食物过敏' means 'I am allergic to seafood'. This is the standard medical and everyday term.

Chinese nouns do not change form for plural. '食物' can mean one piece of food or a mountain of food. You specify the amount using words like '很多' (a lot) or '一点' (a little), e.g., '很多食物' (a lot of food).