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What is the Kanji for 'Eat' and 'Food'? | 食

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Eat' and 'Food', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Eat' and 'Food' is 食.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eat, Food

    Reading

    kunyomi

    ta

    ku

    onyomiじき

    jiki

    しょく

    shoku

    Parts

    Person Good

    Example Word

    食品: food. The Japanese noun '食品 (しょくひん)' refers to 'food' in the sense of edible items or food products. It is a general term used to describe any kind of foodstuff, including packaged or processed foods, as well as raw ingredients. This word is often used in contexts related to food safety, food production, or when discussing food items in a formal or commercial setting. For example: This store sells organic food「この店は有機食品を売っています」(このみせはゆうきしょくひんをうっています). Food safety is important「食品の安全は大切です」(しょくひんのあんぜんはたいせつです). Note that '食品' is more formal and specific than the more casual term '食べ物 (たべもの)', which also means 'food' but is used in everyday conversation.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    153

    Radical Form

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Person

    kanji

    Meaning

    Good

Words Using

This kanji is used in 25 words:

    word

    食べる

    Meaning

    Eat

    word

    食事

    Meaning

    Meal

    word

    食う

    Meaning

    Eat

    word

    Meaning

    Food, Meal

    word

    食品

    Meaning

    Food

    word

    外食

    Meaning

    Eating out

    word

    食パン

    Meaning

    Bread

    word

    食費

    Meaning

    Food expenses

    word

    食べ物

    Meaning

    Food

    word

    主食

    Meaning

    Staple food

    word

    食器

    Meaning

    Tableware

    word

    夕食

    Meaning

    Dinner

    word

    衣食住

    Meaning

    Necessities

    word

    食料

    Meaning

    Food

    word

    食卓

    Meaning

    Dining table

    word

    食糧

    Meaning

    Food

    word

    朝食

    Meaning

    Breakfast

    word

    乞食

    Meaning

    Beggar

    word

    食堂

    Meaning

    Cafeteria

    word

    食物

    Meaning

    Food

    word

    昼食

    Meaning

    Lunch

    word

    定食

    Meaning

    Set meal

    word

    食欲

    Meaning

    Appetite

    word

    和食

    Meaning

    Japanese food

    word

    洋食

    Meaning

    Western food

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 19 kanji contain the part 人 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Big

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tree, Wood

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fire

    kanji

    Meaning

    Now

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inside

    kanji

    Meaning

    Valley

    kanji

    Meaning

    Meat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tea

    kanji

    Meaning

    Meet

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fit, Match

    kanji

    Meaning

    Graduate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Man, Husband

    kanji

    Meaning

    Decorate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Some, How many

    kanji

    Meaning

    Plan, Project

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mediate, Jammed in

    kanji

    Meaning

    Prisoner, Criminal

    kanji

    Meaning

    House, Quarters

    kanji

    Meaning

    Umbrella, Parasol

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 4 kanji contain the part 良 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Daughter, Girl

    kanji

    Meaning

    Young man, Guy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wander, Billow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Clear, Cheerful

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 食 mean?

食 means 'Eat' and 'Food'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N5 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.