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A2 noun 6 min read

生食

sheng shi
Examples Notes & Tips 生食 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 生食 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 生食 (shēngshí) means 'raw food.' You might see it on a menu or a sign in a shop. It is made of '生' (raw) and '食' (food). Think of it as the opposite of '熟' (cooked). You can use it in very simple sentences like '我不吃生食' (I don't eat raw food). At this stage, focus on recognizing the characters. '生' looks like a plant growing out of the ground, which helps you remember it means 'living' or 'raw.' '食' looks like a person under a roof with a bowl, representing food. Even at this basic level, knowing this word helps you avoid eating things that might be unsafe if you have a sensitive stomach while traveling.
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At the A2 level, you should be able to use 生食 to describe your preferences and ask simple questions about food safety. You can combine it with categories, like '生食海鲜' (raw seafood) or '生食蔬菜' (raw vegetables). You should also learn the difference between '生食' (the noun) and '生吃' (the verb). For example, '你可以生吃这个吗？' (Can you eat this raw?). You will start to see this word in short articles about healthy eating. Understanding 生食 allows you to navigate grocery stores more effectively, especially when looking at the labels on fish or eggs to see if they are safe for raw consumption.
At the B1 level, you can discuss the pros and cons of 生食. You might talk about '生食主义' (the raw food movement) and how it relates to health. You should be able to use the word in more complex sentences involving '虽然...但是...' (although... but...). For example: '虽然生食能保留维生素，但也有细菌风险' (Although raw food can preserve vitamins, there is also a risk of bacteria). You'll encounter this word in health-related listening materials or blogs. You should also be familiar with the term '生食级' (raw-grade) and understand that it implies a higher standard of hygiene and quality control in the food industry.
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At the B2 level, you can use 生食 in technical or specific culinary contexts. You can discuss food safety regulations, the impact of raw food on the digestive system from a biological perspective, and the cultural history of raw food in different regions of China (like the raw fish traditions in Guangdong). You should be comfortable using formal phrases like '严禁生食' (strictly forbidden to eat raw) or '提倡生食' (advocate for raw food). You can also contrast 生食 with more nuanced terms like '半生不熟' (half-raw, half-cooked/medium-rare) or '溏心' (soft-boiled/runny yolk). Your vocabulary should allow you to read news reports about food hygiene standards.
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At the C1 level, 生食 becomes a tool for discussing anthropology, evolution, and high-level gastronomy. You might analyze how the transition from 生食 to cooked food allowed the human brain to grow larger, or discuss the aesthetic philosophy behind Japanese 生食 culture. You should be able to use the word in academic or professional writing without hesitation. You will recognize it in classical literature references (where '脍' might be used for raw meat) and understand how modern '生食' usage differs from historical dietary habits. You can also engage in debates about the environmental impact of raw vs. cooked diets.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 生食 and its deep cultural implications. You can nuance your speech by using obscure idioms related to raw food or referencing specific historical texts that mention '生食' habits of ancient tribes. You understand the subtle marketing psychology behind labeling something '生食级' versus '刺身用.' You can effortlessly switch between formal scientific terminology (regarding enzymatic activity in raw food) and poetic descriptions of the 'original flavor' (原汁原味) of raw ingredients. Your understanding includes the legal complexities of food labeling laws regarding raw products in various Chinese-speaking jurisdictions.
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Examples Notes & Tips

生食 in 30 Seconds

  • 生食 refers to raw food or the act of eating raw. It is a formal noun composed of 'raw' and 'food.'
  • Commonly used in contexts like sashimi, salads, or health diets (Raw Foodism).
  • In China, it is often a label for food safety, distinguishing 'raw-grade' items from those requiring cooking.
  • Contrasts with 熟食 (cooked food) and is distinct from 凉菜 (cold but often cooked dishes).

The term 生食 (shēngshí) is a compound noun in Chinese that directly translates to 'raw food' or the practice of 'eating raw.' It is composed of two characters: 生 (shēng), meaning 'raw,' 'unripe,' or 'living,' and 食 (shí), meaning 'food' or 'to eat.' In a modern linguistic context, this term is frequently encountered in discussions regarding culinary habits, health trends, and food safety. While Westerners might immediately think of salads or steak tartare, a Chinese speaker using 生食 often evokes a specific set of cultural associations ranging from the appreciation of fresh seafood to cautious warnings about digestive health.

Culinary Categorization
In Chinese gastronomy, food is broadly categorized into 熟食 (shúshí - cooked food) and 生食 (shēngshí - raw food). Historically, Chinese culture has leaned heavily toward cooked food for safety and digestive reasons, making the mention of 生食 a specific dietary choice or a reference to specific delicacies like sashimi.
Health and Dietetics
Within the 'Raw Food Movement' (生食主义), the term refers to consuming unprocessed and unheated plant-based foods. Proponents believe this preserves enzymes, though traditional Chinese medicine often advises against excessive 生食 as it is considered 'cold' (寒) for the stomach.

这家餐厅以提供高品质的生食海鲜而闻名。
(This restaurant is famous for providing high-quality raw seafood.)

You will see this word on food packaging, especially in the 'ready-to-eat' section of high-end supermarkets, or on health blogs. It is a neutral term, but context dictates whether it is a recommendation (freshness) or a warning (hygiene). For instance, a sign might say '不可生食' (not for raw consumption), which is a crucial safety instruction for certain types of meat or eggs.

由于卫生原因，不建议生食这种肉类。
(For hygiene reasons, raw consumption of this type of meat is not recommended.)

Using 生食 (shēngshí) correctly requires understanding its role as both a noun (the food itself) and a verb-object construction (the act of eating raw). In modern Chinese, it functions most flexibly as a noun that can be modified by adjectives or serve as the object of a sentence. It is often paired with specific categories of food to clarify what exactly is being eaten raw.

As a Direct Object
When you want to say someone eats raw food, you use it after verbs like '喜欢' (like), '尝试' (try), or '习惯' (be used to).
Example: 很多人不习惯生食。 (Many people are not used to eating raw food.)
As a Modifier
It can modify other nouns to describe their grade or intended use, though '生食级' (raw-grade) is a more specific technical term often used in marketing.
Example: 这是生食级的鸡蛋。 (These are raw-grade eggs / eggs safe for raw consumption.)

在一些文化中，生食被认为能保留更多的营养成分。
(In some cultures, eating raw food is thought to retain more nutritional components.)

When discussing dietary habits, 生食 is often contrasted with 熟食. For example, '生食与熟食的比例' (the ratio of raw to cooked food). In a medical or scientific context, you might hear about '生食带来的寄生虫风险' (the risk of parasites brought by raw food consumption).

医生建议肠胃不好的人尽量减少生食。
(The doctor suggests that people with poor digestion should try to reduce raw food consumption.)

You will encounter 生食 (shēngshí) in several distinct environments. Understanding these contexts will help you gauge the level of formality and the intended meaning of the speaker or writer.

The Supermarket (Supermarket Signage)
In the fresh produce or seafood section, you will see labels like '生食级三文鱼' (Raw-grade salmon). This is a critical distinction from '煎烤级' (Frying/Grilling grade) which might not meet the bacterial standards for eating raw.
Health and Wellness Blogs
Articles discussing the 'Raw Food Diet' will use 生食主义 (shēngshí zhǔyì). You'll hear phrases like '生食的好处' (the benefits of raw food) or '长期生食对身体的影响' (the long-term effects of raw food on the body).
Japanese Restaurants in China
While they use the term '刺身' (sashimi), the menu descriptions or waitstaff might explain that a dish is '生食' to ensure the customer knows it is not cooked.

超市里的这种牛肉达到了生食标准。
(This beef in the supermarket has reached raw-consumption standards.)

In a domestic setting, a parent might tell a child, '蔬菜要洗干净才能生食' (Vegetables must be washed clean before they can be eaten raw). Here, 生食 acts as a formal instruction. In casual conversation, they'd likely say '生吃'.

Learning 生食 (shēngshí) involves navigating a few linguistic pitfalls. Because '生' has so many meanings in Chinese (life, birth, student, raw), beginners often misapply it.

Confusing '生食' with '生活' or '生命'
Students sometimes see 生 and assume it relates to 'life.' While they share the same root, 生食 is strictly related to the physical state of food. You cannot use it to mean 'life's food' or 'healthy food for life.'
Misusing it as a Verb in Casual Speech
Saying '我生食鱼' (I raw eat fish) is grammatically awkward. In spoken Chinese, you should use the verb-object structure 生吃. Use 生食 as a noun: '我不喜欢生食' (I don't like raw food).

❌ 错误：我想生食这个苹果。
✅ 正确：我想生吃这个苹果。
(Incorrect: I want to [formal raw food] this apple. Correct: I want to eat this apple raw.)

Another mistake is over-extending the term to include 'cold' foods that are already cooked. For example, a cold noodle dish (凉面) is 熟食 (cooked food) served cold, not 生食. 生食 must involve ingredients that have not undergone a thermal cooking process.

To truly master 生食 (shēngshí), you must distinguish it from several related terms. Chinese has many ways to describe the state and temperature of food.

生食 (shēngshí) vs. 生吃 (shēngchī)
As mentioned, 生食 is the noun/formal term (raw food), while 生吃 is the verb (to eat raw). You '生吃' an apple, but you study the '生食' culture.
生食 (shēngshí) vs. 刺身 (cìshēn)
刺身 is the specific loanword for Japanese Sashimi. 生食 is a broad category that includes sashimi, salads, and raw beef. All 刺身 is 生食, but not all 生食 is 刺身.
生食 (shēngshí) vs. 凉菜 (liángcài)
凉菜 (cold dishes) are often cooked and then cooled (like braised beef slices). 生食 is never cooked. This is a common point of confusion for learners ordering at restaurants.

虽然这道菜是凉的，但它不是生食，因为食材已经煮熟了。
(Although this dish is cold, it is not raw food because the ingredients have already been cooked.)

In a professional setting, you might also hear 鲜食 (xiānshí), which means 'fresh food.' While fresh food can be raw, the emphasis is on the lack of preservatives rather than the lack of cooking.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, before the widespread use of fire, all food was '生食.' Interestingly, Confucius was famously picky about his '脍' (raw meat), insisting it be sliced extremely thin, showing that raw food culture has deep roots in high Chinese society.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃʌŋ ʃiː/
US /ʃɛŋ ʃi/
Equal stress on both syllables in Mandarin.
Rhymes With
灯 (dēng) 层 (céng) 时 (shí) 实 (shí) 识 (shí) 直 (zhí) 拾 (shí) 十 (shí)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'shí' as 'shì' (4th tone), which changes the meaning.
  • Failing to curl the tongue for the 'sh' sound (making it sound like 'seng').
  • Confusing the pinyin 'i' in 'shí' with the English 'ee' sound; it is more of a buzzing 'ir' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are basic and common in other words like '生日' and '食堂'.

Writing 3/5

The character '食' has several strokes and requires practice to balance.

Speaking 2/5

Tones are simple (1st and 2nd), but the 'sh' sound needs clarity.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized in context, though sounds similar to other 'shí' words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

生 (raw/life) 食 (food) 吃 (eat) 鱼 (fish) 菜 (vegetables)

Learn Next

熟食 (cooked food) 海鲜 (seafood) 卫生 (hygiene) 营养 (nutrition) 寄生虫 (parasite)

Advanced

茹毛饮血 (primitive eating) 脍炙人口 (popular) 生食主义 (raw foodism)

Grammar to Know

Noun as Modifier

生食级 (Raw-grade) - Using a noun to modify another noun's quality.

Negation with 不

不习惯生食 (Not used to raw food).

Directional Complements

切成生食片 (Cut into raw food slices).

Conditionals

如果要生食，必须洗干净。 (If you want to eat raw, you must wash it clean.)

Comparison

生食没有熟食安全。 (Raw food is not as safe as cooked food.)

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Examples by Level

1

我不喜欢生食。

I don't like raw food.

Simple Subject + Negation + Verb + Noun.

2

这是生食吗？

Is this raw food?

Asking a question with 吗.

3

他喜欢生食海鲜。

He likes raw seafood.

Subject + Verb + Noun phrase.

4

苹果可以生食。

Apples can be eaten raw.

Noun + 可以 + Verb (used as verb here).

5

生食不贵。

Raw food is not expensive.

Noun + 不 + Adjective.

6

多吃生食蔬菜。

Eat more raw vegetables.

Imperative sentence with 多.

7

这里没有生食。

There is no raw food here.

Using 没有 to show absence.

8

生食很好吃。

Raw food is delicious.

Noun + 很 + Adjective.

1

这种鸡蛋可以生食吗？

Can these eggs be eaten raw?

Focus on 'raw-grade' concept.

2

我不习惯生食肉类。

I am not used to eating raw meat.

Using 习惯 (be used to).

3

生食比熟食更健康吗？

Is raw food healthier than cooked food?

Comparison pattern A 比 B + Adj.

4

超市里有生食级三文鱼。

There is raw-grade salmon in the supermarket.

Identifying specific food grades.

5

洗干净后，蔬菜可以生食。

After washing clean, vegetables can be eaten raw.

Condition + result.

6

他因为生食生病了。

He got sick because of eating raw food.

Cause and effect with 因为.

7

这种鱼不适合生食。

This fish is not suitable for raw consumption.

Using 适合 (suitable).

8

生食在夏天很受欢迎。

Raw food is very popular in summer.

Time phrase + Noun + Adjective.

1

生食主义者认为加热会破坏营养。

Raw foodists believe that heating destroys nutrition.

Introducing the concept of -ism (主义).

2

尽管生食很新鲜，但要注意卫生。

Although raw food is fresh, one must pay attention to hygiene.

Conjunction 尽管...但... (although... but...).

3

长期生食可能导致肠胃不适。

Long-term raw food consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

Using 导致 (lead to/cause).

4

这家店的生食处理得非常专业。

This shop's raw food is handled very professionally.

Degree complement with 得.

5

为了安全，请不要生食野味。

For safety, please do not eat wild animals raw.

Purpose clause with 为了.

6

生食在某些地区是一种传统。

Eating raw food is a tradition in some regions.

Identifying cultural contexts.

7

这种酱料是专门为生食设计的。

This sauce is specifically designed for raw food.

Passive-like structure with 为...设计.

8

你对生食有什么看法？

What is your opinion on raw food?

Asking for an opinion.

1

生食海鲜的寄生虫风险不容忽视。

The risk of parasites in raw seafood cannot be ignored.

Formal phrase 不容忽视 (cannot be ignored).

2

该餐厅严格遵守生食卫生标准。

The restaurant strictly abides by raw food hygiene standards.

Formal verb 遵守 (abide by).

3

提倡生食的人强调酶的活性。

People who advocate raw food emphasize the activity of enzymes.

Relative clause using 的.

4

生食与熟食的营养吸收效率不同。

The efficiency of nutrient absorption differs between raw and cooked food.

Comparing abstract concepts.

5

并非所有蔬菜都适合生食。

Not all vegetables are suitable for raw consumption.

Partial negation with 并非.

6

生食文化在沿海城市更为流行。

Raw food culture is more prevalent in coastal cities.

Adverb 更为 for emphasis.

7

这种加工方式保留了生食的原始风味。

This processing method retains the original flavor of raw food.

Using 保留 (retain/preserve).

8

有关部门加强了对生食市场的监管。

Relevant departments have strengthened supervision of the raw food market.

Formal noun 监管 (supervision).

1

人类从生食向熟食的转变是进化的里程碑。

The transition of humans from raw food to cooked food is a milestone in evolution.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

2

生食的感官体验往往在于食材的鲜度。

The sensory experience of raw food often lies in the freshness of the ingredients.

Abstract noun 感官体验 (sensory experience).

3

某些宗教对生食有着严格的禁忌。

Certain religions have strict taboos regarding raw food.

Noun 禁忌 (taboo).

4

生食主义在现代社会被赋予了环保的含义。

Raw foodism has been endowed with environmental meanings in modern society.

Passive structure with 被赋予.

5

过度生食可能会损害脾胃的阳气。

Excessive raw food consumption may damage the 'yang' energy of the spleen and stomach.

Using TCM terminology like 阳气.

6

生食的流行反映了消费者对天然食品的追求。

The popularity of raw food reflects consumers' pursuit of natural food.

Verb 反映 (reflect).

7

实验室对生食样本进行了菌落总数检测。

The laboratory conducted a total plate count test on the raw food samples.

Technical scientific language.

8

探讨生食对肠道菌群的多样性影响。

Explore the impact of raw food on the diversity of gut microbiota.

Formal verb 探讨 (explore/discuss).

1

生食之风的兴起，折射出都市人对返璞归真的渴望。

The rise of the raw food trend reflects urbanites' desire to return to nature.

Literary idiom 返璞归真 (returning to original purity).

2

在分子美食学中，生食的质地被重新定义。

In molecular gastronomy, the texture of raw food is redefined.

Specialized academic field term.

3

古人云‘脍不厌细’，足见中国生食文化之悠久。

The ancients said 'finely sliced raw meat can never be too delicate,' showing the long history of Chinese raw food culture.

Quoting classical literature (Confucius).

4

生食的风险评估需综合考量供应链的每一个环节。

Risk assessment for raw food requires comprehensive consideration of every link in the supply chain.

Business/Regulatory terminology.

5

辩证地看待生食对人类健康的双重影响。

Dialectically view the dual impact of raw food on human health.

Philosophical adverb 辩证地 (dialectically).

6

生食不仅是味觉的享受，更是一种生活态度的彰显。

Raw food is not only a gustatory enjoyment but also a manifestation of an attitude toward life.

Correlative conjunction 不仅...更... (not only... but also...).

7

该论文深入剖析了生食与人类大脑容量增长的悖论。

The paper deeply analyzes the paradox between raw food and the growth of human brain capacity.

Formal verb 剖析 (analyze deeply).

8

生食在全球化背景下的文化交融与冲突。

The cultural fusion and conflict of raw food in the context of globalization.

Sociopolitical terminology.

Common Collocations

生食级
生食主义
严禁生食
习惯生食
生食海鲜
提倡生食
生食风险
生食标准
生食文化
拒绝生食

Common Phrases

生食蔬菜

— Eating raw vegetables, usually in salads or as crudités.

生食蔬菜可以补充维生素。

不可生食

— Must not be eaten raw; a common warning on food labels.

这种豆子不可生食，有毒。

生食蛋

— Raw eggs, often used in dishes like sukiyaki.

日本料理中经常用到生食蛋。

生食肉

— Raw meat, such as beef tartare.

很少有人喜欢生食肉。

生食鱼片

— Raw fish slices, similar to sashimi.

他最爱吃生食鱼片。

生食处理

— The processing or handling of raw food.

生食处理需要极高的卫生条件。

生食来源

— The source of the raw food.

必须确保生食来源安全。

生食比例

— The proportion of raw food in one's diet.

他的生食比例很高。

生食习惯

— The habit of eating raw food.

这种生食习惯在当地很普遍。

生食禁忌

— Taboos or restrictions regarding raw food.

孕妇有很多生食禁忌。

Idioms & Expressions

"脍炙人口"

— Literally 'raw meat and roast meat are delicious'; used to describe a popular piece of literature or news.

他的小说脍炙人口。

Literary
"茹毛饮血"

— Literally 'eat fur and drink blood'; describes primitive people who eat raw animals.

远古人类茹毛饮血。

Formal
"半生不熟"

— Half-raw, half-cooked; can also mean someone is not fully competent or a task is not finished.

这锅米饭半生不熟。

Informal
"生吞活剥"

— Literally 'swallow whole and skin alive'; means to accept something uncritically or apply it mechanically.

学习不能生吞活剥。

Figurative
"生龙活虎"

— Full of life and energy (uses 'shēng' as 'living').

孩子们在操场上生龙活虎。

Common
"口腹之欲"

— The desire for delicious food (often includes raw delicacies).

为了口腹之欲而冒险生食是不值得的。

Literary
"原汁原味"

— Original juice and flavor; often used to praise the quality of raw food.

这种生鱼片真是原汁原味。

Common
"百无禁忌"

— No taboos at all; often said of people who eat anything, including raw food.

他在饮食上百无禁忌。

Informal
"病从口入"

— Illness enters through the mouth; a common warning against unsafe raw food.

要注意卫生，病从口入。

Proverb
"食不厌精"

— One does not tire of fine food (Confucian saying often applied to delicate raw dishes).

他对吃非常讲究，食不厌精。

Literary

Word Family

Nouns

食物 (food)
食品 (food products)
食谱 (recipe)
生鲜 (fresh goods)

Verbs

食用 (to consume)
饮食 (to eat and drink)
进食 (to take a meal)

Adjectives

生的 (raw)
可食用的 (edible)
鲜美的 (deliciously fresh)

Related

熟食 (cooked food)
素食 (vegetarian food)
零食 (snacks)
主食 (staple food)
伙食 (meals/catering)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'shēng' as a growing plant (raw) and 'shí' as a person eating at a table. Raw + Food = 生食.

Visual Association

Imagine a plate of bright pink salmon (raw) next to a green sprout (shēng).

Word Web

生 (raw) 食 (food) 生吃 (eat raw) 熟食 (cooked food) 海鲜 (seafood) 三文鱼 (salmon) 卫生 (hygiene) 健康 (health)

Challenge

Try to find three items in your fridge that are '不可生食' and three that are '可以生食' and label them in Chinese.

Word Origin

The term '生食' combines two ancient characters. '生' (shēng) originally depicted a plant emerging from the earth, symbolizing life, growth, and by extension, the 'unprocessed' state of nature. '食' (shí) was a pictograph of a food container with a lid, representing the act of eating or the food itself.

Original meaning: Eating raw ingredients as found in nature.

Sino-Tibetan.

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing raw food in rural China, as it may be associated with poor hygiene or 'backward' habits in some contexts.

In English, 'raw food' often implies a specific health movement or simple salads. In Chinese, it's more of a technical culinary classification.

Confucius's Analects (mentioning sliced raw meat) Modern health documentaries on 'Raw Foodism' Japanese 'Sashimi' culture influence in China

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Japanese Restaurant

  • 这份鱼片可以生食吗？
  • 我不吃生食。
  • 生食级三文鱼。
  • 刺身拼盘。

At the Supermarket

  • 生食级鸡蛋在哪？
  • 不可生食。
  • 生鲜区。
  • 洗净后生食。

Health Discussion

  • 生食主义的好处。
  • 注意生食卫生。
  • 肠胃不适。
  • 保留营养。

Cooking Class

  • 生食和熟食分开处理。
  • 生食砧板。
  • 杀菌处理。
  • 原始风味。

Travel Warning

  • 当地水源不可生食。
  • 严禁生食野味。
  • 预防寄生虫。
  • 煮熟后再吃。

Conversation Starters

"你习惯生食海鲜吗？ (Are you used to eating raw seafood?)"

"你觉得生食比熟食更健康吗？ (Do you think raw food is healthier than cooked food?)"

"在你的国家，人们喜欢生食哪些蔬菜？ (In your country, what raw vegetables do people like to eat?)"

"这家餐厅的生食看起来非常新鲜。 (The raw food in this restaurant looks very fresh.)"

"你尝试过生食牛肉吗？ (Have you ever tried eating raw beef?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你尝试生食（如刺身或沙拉）的经历。 (Describe an experience where you tried raw food, such as sashimi or salad.)

讨论你对生食主义的看法。 (Discuss your views on raw foodism.)

比较你家乡和中国的生食文化差异。 (Compare the differences in raw food culture between your hometown and China.)

写一段关于如何安全处理生食的建议。 (Write some advice on how to safely handle raw food.)

如果只能选择生食或熟食，你会选哪个？为什么？ (If you could only choose raw or cooked food, which would you pick? Why?)

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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

生もの Japanese
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