觅食 captures the instinctual drive to search for sustenance, whether in nature or the human struggle for survival.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to animals searching for food in the wild.
- Can metaphorically describe humans struggling to make a living.
- A formal yet descriptive verb for survival-based searching.
Overview
- 1概述：觅食（mì shí）是一个由动词“觅”（寻找）和名词“食”（食物）组成的词。它最原始的含义是指动物在野外寻找食物以维持生命，例如“鸟儿在清晨飞出巢穴觅食”。随着语言的发展，该词也被广泛应用于人类社会，形容人为了赚钱或维持生活而四处奔波，带有一定的艰辛感。
常见语境：该词在自然科学类文章中非常常见，用于描述野生动物的习性。在社会新闻或文学创作中，它常被用来形容城市流浪者或在困境中挣扎的人群，带有一种写实且略显沉重的语调。
- 1同义词辨析：与“寻找食物”相比，“觅食”更具书面色彩，且带有明显的本能驱动色彩。相比“求食”，“觅食”更强调寻找的过程和动作，而“求食”则更侧重于祈求或迫切地需要食物。在现代汉语中，“觅食”常用于描述具有一定主动性的搜寻行为。
Examples
清晨，森林里的鸟儿开始四处觅食。
everydayIn the early morning, birds in the forest start foraging for food.
该物种主要在夜间觅食，以避开天敌。
formalThis species mainly forages at night to avoid predators.
他为了生计，像野兽一样在城市里觅食。
informalTo make a living, he foraged in the city like a beast.
研究表明，气候变化严重影响了候鸟的觅食效率。
academicResearch shows that climate change has severely affected the foraging efficiency of migratory birds.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
觅食习性
foraging habits
四处觅食
foraging around
觅食场所
foraging ground
Often Confused With
General term for searching for anything, not limited to food. '觅食' is specific to food.
Refers to the act of eating itself. '觅食' emphasizes the process of finding the food before eating.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word is primarily used in formal or descriptive contexts, particularly in biology or literature. It is not suitable for casual conversation about human meals. Use it to add a sense of instinct or struggle to your narrative.
Common Mistakes
Don't use it to describe human beings eating in a restaurant; it sounds like they are scavenging. Avoid using it as a direct transitive verb (e.g., don't say '觅食果子'). It is better to use it as an intransitive verb.
Tips
Use in Descriptive Writing
When writing about nature or survival, use '觅食' to add a professional and vivid tone to your sentences. It sounds much more sophisticated than just saying 'finding food'.
Avoid in Casual Conversation
Do not use '觅食' when asking a friend to go get lunch. It sounds overly formal and slightly biological, which might confuse your listeners.
Survival and Nature
In Chinese culture, this term is often linked to the harsh realities of nature and the basic human need for survival, reflecting a respect for the cycle of life.
Word Origin
Derived from classical Chinese, where '觅' means to seek and '食' means food. It has been preserved in modern Chinese as a standard term for animal behavior.
Cultural Context
Reflects the observation of nature in traditional Chinese literature. Often used in fables or nature documentaries to humanize the struggle of animals.
Memory Tip
Think of '觅' as 'searching' and '食' as 'food'. Just like a bird searching for its daily meal in the woods.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions不一定。虽然主要用于动物，但在文学或修辞中，常用来形容人为了生计而奔波，带有一种比喻色彩。
“觅食”是书面语，语气较正式且带有生物学或文学意蕴；“找吃的”是口语，简单直接，适用于日常生活。
觅食本身通常不直接带宾语，通常以“在某处觅食”或“出来觅食”的结构出现。
一般没有贬义，但在形容人时，如果强调其像动物一样为了生存而卑微奔波，可能带有同情或客观描述的色彩。
Test Yourself
清晨，一群小鸟飞出树林去___。
“觅食”最符合描述野生动物寻找食物的习性。
以下哪个场景最恰当？
“觅食”强调的是寻找食物的过程，特别适用于野生动物。
在/觅食/森林里/小鹿/忙着
标准的中文语序是：主语+地点+动作。
Score: /3
Summary
觅食 captures the instinctual drive to search for sustenance, whether in nature or the human struggle for survival.
- Refers to animals searching for food in the wild.
- Can metaphorically describe humans struggling to make a living.
- A formal yet descriptive verb for survival-based searching.
Use in Descriptive Writing
When writing about nature or survival, use '觅食' to add a professional and vivid tone to your sentences. It sounds much more sophisticated than just saying 'finding food'.
Avoid in Casual Conversation
Do not use '觅食' when asking a friend to go get lunch. It sounds overly formal and slightly biological, which might confuse your listeners.
Survival and Nature
In Chinese culture, this term is often linked to the harsh realities of nature and the basic human need for survival, reflecting a respect for the cycle of life.
Examples
4 of 4清晨，森林里的鸟儿开始四处觅食。
In the early morning, birds in the forest start foraging for food.
该物种主要在夜间觅食，以避开天敌。
This species mainly forages at night to avoid predators.
他为了生计，像野兽一样在城市里觅食。
To make a living, he foraged in the city like a beast.
研究表明，气候变化严重影响了候鸟的觅食效率。
Research shows that climate change has severely affected the foraging efficiency of migratory birds.
