Xiao chi refers to small, affordable, and often local food items enjoyed casually.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Small, inexpensive dishes or snacks.
- Commonly found in markets and casual settings.
- Broader than just 'snacks', includes light meals.
Overview
“小吃”是一个非常常用的中文词汇，指的是那些分量不大、价格不高、方便食用的食品。它不像正餐那样丰盛，但可以满足人们在两餐之间或休闲时的口腹之欲。小吃的种类繁多，既包括甜的糕点、饼干等零食，也包括咸的炸物、卤味、凉菜等，甚至还包括一些地方特色的小份菜肴，如北京的豆汁、上海的小笼包、四川的担担面等。在很多场合，“小吃”都可以作为一种独立的食物类别来讨论。
“小吃”通常用作名词，指代具体的食物。它也可以用来描述一种进食方式，即“吃小吃”。例如，“我们去夜市吃小吃”或者“这家店有很多特色小吃”。它也可以和表示数量或种类的词语连用，如“各种各样的小吃”、“一份小吃”。在形容词修饰时，可以强调其“便宜”、“美味”、“特色”等属性，例如“便宜的小吃”、“美味的小吃”、“地道的小吃”。
小吃最常出现的场合包括：
**家庭零食**: 在家里，人们也会将饼干、水果、坚果等视为小吃。
与“零食 (língshí)”相比，“小吃”的范围更广，除了像饼干、糖果这类纯粹的零食外，还包括一些可以作为简餐或点心的食物，如包子、饺子、烤串等。而“零食”更侧重于满足口馋、休闲的即食食品。“点心 (diǎnxin)”通常指甜的、精致的糕点类食物，多在茶楼或早餐时食用，而“小吃”则包含的范围更广，既有甜的也有咸的，形式也更多样。“快餐 (kuàicān)”则指制作快捷、方便食用的正餐，如汉堡、盒饭等，通常比小吃更具饱腹感和正餐性质。
Examples
这家老字号的炸酱面是北京著名的小吃之一。
everydayThis time-honored brand's Zha Jiang Mian (fried sauce noodles) is one of Beijing's famous snacks.
为了节省时间，我们在路边买了些小吃充饥。
informalTo save time, we bought some snacks from a roadside vendor to fill our stomachs.
夜市上琳琅满目的小吃吸引了众多游客。
travelThe dazzling array of snacks in the night market attracted numerous tourists.
这份关于中国地方美食的研究报告，重点分析了各地特色小吃的文化渊源。
academicThis research report on Chinese regional cuisine focuses on analyzing the cultural origins of characteristic snacks from various places.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
来点儿小吃吧
Let's have some snacks.
这个地方的小吃很有名
The snacks in this place are very famous.
逛吃逛吃
Strolling and eating (snacks)
Often Confused With
'Ling shi' typically refers to pre-packaged items like chips, cookies, and candy, consumed between meals purely for pleasure. 'Xiao chi' is broader and can include more substantial items like dumplings, skewers, or mini-meals, often with regional significance.
'Dian xin' usually refers to delicate pastries, often sweet, served with tea, especially in Cantonese cuisine or for breakfast. While some 'dian xin' can be considered 'xiao chi', 'xiao chi' encompasses a much wider range of savory and less refined food types.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term 'xiao chi' is very versatile and commonly used in everyday conversation. It can refer to a wide range of food items, from simple snacks to small, local dishes. It is generally informal but can appear in more formal contexts when discussing food culture or regional cuisine.
Common Mistakes
Learners might sometimes confuse 'xiao chi' with 'ling shi' (snacks) or 'dian xin' (dim sum/pastries). It's important to remember that 'xiao chi' has a broader scope and often implies local specialties or items that can serve as a light meal.
Tips
Explore Local Flavors
When traveling, try local 'xiao chi' to experience authentic regional tastes and culture.
Be Mindful of Hygiene
Especially at street stalls, pay attention to the hygiene conditions of the vendors and food preparation.
Social Eating Experience
Sharing various 'xiao chi' with friends is a common and enjoyable social activity in China.
Word Origin
The word '小吃' literally translates to 'small eat'. The character '小' (xiǎo) means small, and '吃' (chī) means to eat. This direct combination aptly describes the nature of these food items.
Cultural Context
In China, 'xiao chi' are more than just food; they are integral to social life and cultural identity. Exploring regional 'xiao chi' is a popular way to experience the diversity of Chinese culture and traditions.
Memory Tip
Think of 'xiao chi' as 'small eats' – bite-sized or small portions of food that are easy and enjoyable to consume, often found in bustling markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions小吃的范围比零食更广。零食通常指饼干、糖果这类即食的、非正餐的食物。而小吃除了零食，还包括一些可以作为简餐或点心的食物，比如包子、饺子、烤串、凉菜等，更强调地方特色或作为正餐的补充。
很多食物都可以算作小吃，比如炸鸡、烤串、凉皮、担担面、春卷、包子、饺子、麻辣烫、寿司、冰淇淋等。关键在于它们通常分量不大、价格适中，并且可以在非正式场合食用。
小吃非常适合在非正式场合食用，比如逛街、看电影、朋友聚会、旅行途中，或者在两餐之间感到饥饿时。夜市和小吃街是品尝小吃的绝佳场所。
小吃是中国饮食文化的重要组成部分，它们往往承载着地方特色和历史文化。品尝小吃是体验当地风土人情的一种方式，也体现了中国人注重生活情趣和社交的特点。
Test Yourself
我们晚上去夜市逛逛，尝尝那里的特色______。
句意是晚上去夜市品尝当地特色食物，最符合语境的词是“小吃”。
下列哪项最能概括“小吃”的特点？
“小吃”的核心特点是分量小、价格便宜，并且通常方便食用，适合作为零食或简餐。
把下列词语组成一个句子：便宜 / 有的 / 很多 / 特色 / 小吃 / 那里
“便宜的特色小吃”是名词短语，“那里有很多”是描述数量和地点，组合起来构成“那里有很多便宜的特色小吃”是最自然的语序。
Score: /3
Summary
Xiao chi refers to small, affordable, and often local food items enjoyed casually.
- Small, inexpensive dishes or snacks.
- Commonly found in markets and casual settings.
- Broader than just 'snacks', includes light meals.
Explore Local Flavors
When traveling, try local 'xiao chi' to experience authentic regional tastes and culture.
Be Mindful of Hygiene
Especially at street stalls, pay attention to the hygiene conditions of the vendors and food preparation.
Social Eating Experience
Sharing various 'xiao chi' with friends is a common and enjoyable social activity in China.
Examples
4 of 4这家老字号的炸酱面是北京著名的小吃之一。
This time-honored brand's Zha Jiang Mian (fried sauce noodles) is one of Beijing's famous snacks.
为了节省时间，我们在路边买了些小吃充饥。
To save time, we bought some snacks from a roadside vendor to fill our stomachs.
夜市上琳琅满目的小吃吸引了众多游客。
The dazzling array of snacks in the night market attracted numerous tourists.
这份关于中国地方美食的研究报告，重点分析了各地特色小吃的文化渊源。
This research report on Chinese regional cuisine focuses on analyzing the cultural origins of characteristic snacks from various places.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More food words
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
AA制
A2To split the bill; go Dutch.
一袋
B1A bag of.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
