🇨🇳 Chinese phrases

How to Say "Food" in Chinese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
食物
"Food" in Chinese · say it like shih-wu

The most natural way to say "Food" in Chinese is 食物. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

食品
more formal, often used in legal or commercial contexts
casual, often refers to cooked rice or meals

When to use it

You can use '食物' when talking about food in general. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Use '饭' when referring specifically to meals or rice. '食品' is best for discussions about food products or regulations.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Food" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Chinese

ChineseEnglish
我喜欢尝试不同的食物。I like to try different kinds of food.
这家餐厅的食物很好吃。The food at this restaurant is very delicious.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse '食物' with '饭', thinking they are interchangeable, but '饭' specifically refers to rice or meals.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 食物, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Chinese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between '食物' and '食品'?

'食物' is a general term for food, while '食品' refers to food products, often in a commercial context.

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