What is the Kanji for "Eat" and "Food"?
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".
This kanji has 4 readings:
Its kunyomi readings are "Ta" and "Ku".
Its onyomi readings are "Jiki" and "Shoku".
kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.
If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:
The kanji "人" means "Person" and can be read as "Jin", "Nin", "Hito", and "Ri". And The kanji "良" means "Good" and can be read as "Yo", "I", and "Ryou".
Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.
What does the kanji "食" mean in japanese?
"食" means "Eat" and "Food".
Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N5 exam.
Here are some words that use this kanji:
食べる: "Eat". The Japanese verb '食べる (たべる)' means 'to eat'. This verb is used to describe the action of consuming food or drink. It can be used with a wide variety of objects, such as meals, snacks, or even abstract concepts like 'an opportunity'. For example: I eat breakfast - (朝ごはんを食べる). Let's eat sushi - (すしを食べましょう).
食事: "Meal". The verbal noun '食事 (しょくじ)' refers to a meal, the act of eating food. It encompasses all the food and drink consumed during a specific occasion, such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. '食事' can describe both the action of eating as well as the food itself that is consumed during that time. For example: Let's have a meal together - (一緒に食事をしましょう). I'm hungry, I need to eat a meal - (お腹が空いたので、食事をしなければなりません).
食う: "Eat". The Japanese verb '食う (くう)' means 'to eat'. This verb is often used in casual, everyday speech and can refer to consuming food in a vigorous or even greedy manner. It has a slightly more vulgar nuance compared to the more polite verb '食べる (たべる)'. For example: I'm going to eat the whole cake - (ケーキを全部食う). He eats a lot - (彼はよく食う).
食: "Meal" or "Food". The Japanese noun '食 (しょく)' has two main meanings. The first meaning is 'meal', referring to regular occasions of eating food. For example: Let's have breakfast - (朝食をしましょう). The second meaning is 'food' in a more general sense, referring to edible substances. For example: I love delicious food - (私は美味しい食べ物が大好きです).
食品: "Food". The Japanese noun '食品 (しょくひん)' means 'food'. This word refers to any solid or liquid substance that is consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. Food can include grains, vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy products, and various other edible items. For example: I bought some healthy food at the supermarket - (私は スーパーで健康的な食品を買いました)。The bakery sells various food items - (そのベーカリーには様々な食品が販売されています).
外食: "Eat out". The verbal noun '外食 (がいしょく)' means 'to eat out' or 'to dine out'. It refers to the act of having a meal at a restaurant, cafe, or other establishment outside of one's home. This word is commonly used to describe the habit or preference of eating food prepared by others rather than cooking at home. For example: I often eat out for lunch - (昼食は外食することが多い). We ate out at a nice restaurant last night - (昨晩、素敵なレストランで外食しました).
食パン: "Bread". The Japanese noun '食パン (しょくぱん)' refers to sliced white bread, commonly used for toast or sandwiches. It is a staple food in Japan and is often served for breakfast. For example: I had toast for breakfast - (私は朝食にトーストを食べた). Can you pass me the bread? - (パンを取ってください).
食費: "Food expenses". The Japanese noun '食費 (しょくひ)' refers to the money spent on food, meals, and groceries. It is commonly used when discussing household budgeting and the costs associated with feeding oneself or one's family. For example: Our food expenses this month were high - (この月の食費が高かった). She needs to budget more for her food expenses - (彼女はもっと食費の予算を組む必要がある).
食べ物: "Food". The Japanese noun '食べ物 (たべもの)' means 'food'. This word refers to any edible substance that can be consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It can be used to describe a wide variety of items, from fruits and vegetables to grains and proteins. For example: I love eating various kinds of food - (私はさまざまな食べ物を食べるのが大好きです). Please prepare some food for me - (私のために食べ物を用意してください).
主食: "Staple food". The Japanese noun '主食 (しゅしょく)' means 'staple food'. This refers to the primary or dominant food that a person or culture relies on. Staple foods are generally high in carbohydrates and provide the bulk of energy and nutrients in a diet. Examples include rice, wheat, corn, and potatoes. For instance: Rice is the staple food in Japan - (日本では米が主食です). Bread is the staple food in many Western countries - (多くの西洋諸国ではパンが主食です).
食器: "Tableware". The Japanese noun '食器 (しょっき)' refers to tableware, such as plates, bowls, cups, and other containers used for serving and consuming food and drinks. This word encompasses the various dishware items found in a typical kitchen or dining setting. For example: I need to wash the tableware - (食器を洗わなければいけません). My favorite tableware set is blue - (お気に入りの食器セットは青色です).
夕食: "Dinner". The Japanese noun '夕食 (ゆうしょく)' refers to the evening meal or dinner. It is the main meal of the day for many Japanese people, typically eaten around 6-8pm. '夕食' can be used to describe the food served at this meal, the act of eating this meal, or the time at which this meal is consumed. For example: Let's have a nice dinner together - (一緒に楽しい夕食をしましょう). I'm going to eat dinner now - (今から夕食を取ります).
衣食住: "Livelihood". The Japanese noun '衣食住 (いしょくじゅう)' refers to the three basic necessities of life - food, clothing, and shelter. It encompasses the fundamental requirements for human survival and well-being. This term is often used to describe the essentials that people need to live comfortably and sustain themselves. For example: Providing food, clothing and shelter is the basis for one's livelihood - (衣食住は人生の基本である).
食料: "Food". The Japanese noun '食料 (しょくりょう)' refers to food or provisions. It is a general term that includes all types of edible items, both fresh and prepared. The noun is commonly used when discussing the availability, supply, or distribution of food. For example: We need to stock up on food supplies - (食料を備蓄する必要がある). The government is working to ensure there is enough food - (政府は十分な食料があるよう取り組んでいる).
食卓: "Dining table". The Japanese noun '食卓 (しょくたく)' refers to a dining table, the table where meals are served and eaten. This word emphasizes the table as the central piece of furniture in a dining room or kitchen where family and guests gather for meals. For example: Let's set the dining table - (食卓を整えましょう). The whole family gathered around the dining table - (一家全員が食卓を囲んだ).
食糧: "Food". The Japanese noun '食糧 (しょくりょう)' means 'food'. This word refers to the sustenance required by living organisms, especially the edible parts of plants and animals that are consumed by humans and animals as nourishment. It can be used in a general sense to refer to all types of food, or more specifically to refer to the basic or staple foods that are necessary for survival. For example: We need to secure enough food supplies - (私たちは十分な食糧を確保する必要がある). The government is working to ensure food security - (政府は食糧安全保障に取り組んでいる).
朝食: "Breakfast". The Japanese noun '朝食 (ちょうしょく)' refers to a morning meal, also known as breakfast. This is the main meal consumed at the start of a person's day. It typically consists of rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and other side dishes. For example: I had a traditional Japanese breakfast - (私は日本の伝統的な朝食を食べました). Let's have breakfast together - (一緯に朝食を食べましょう).
乞食: "Beggar". The Japanese noun '乞食 (こじき)' refers to a person who begs for money or food. This term carries a negative connotation and is considered disrespectful. Beggars are often homeless individuals who rely on the generosity of others to survive. For example: The beggar was sitting on the street corner - (乞食が通りの角に座っていた).
食堂: "Cafeteria". The Japanese noun '食堂 (しょくどう)' means 'cafeteria'. It refers to a dining hall or restaurant, typically in a school, workplace, or other institution, where people can go to have meals. 食堂 is commonly used to describe a place that serves food, either as part of a larger organization or as a standalone establishment. For example: I ate lunch in the cafeteria - (私は食堂で昼食を食べた). The cafeteria serves a variety of meals - (食堂はさまざまな食事を提供しています).
食物: "Food". The Japanese noun '食物 (しょくもつ)' refers to any substance that can be consumed for nourishment or pleasure. It includes a wide range of edible items such as fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, and dairy products.食物 is a general term that encompasses all kinds of foods and beverages. For example: I eat healthy food - (私は健康的な食物を食べる). This meal has a lot of different foods - (この食事には様々な食物がある).
昼食: "Lunch". The noun '昼食 (ちゅうしょく)' refers to the main meal of the day that is eaten around the middle of the day, typically between 11am and 2pm. It is the term used for the midday meal, and is more formal than the casual term 'ひる ごはん'. For example: Let's have lunch together - (一緒に昼食を取りましょう). I brought my lunch to work today - (今日は昼食を仕事に持ってきました).
定食: "Set meal". The Japanese noun '定食 (ていしょく)' means 'set meal'. This refers to a pre-selected combination of dishes served together, typically including a main dish (such as meat, fish or vegetables), a bowl of rice, a soup and various side dishes. Restaurants in Japan often offer a variety of '定食' dishes that customers can choose from. For example: I ordered the tempura set meal - (天ぷら定食を頼みました). The student ordered a beef curry set meal - (学生がビーフカレー定食を注文しました).
食欲: "Appetite". The Japanese noun '食欲 (しょくよく)' refers to one's desire or craving for food. It describes the physical and psychological need or longing for sustenance. This term is often used to express a healthy, natural hunger, as opposed to an obsession or compulsive eating. For example: I have a big appetite today - (今日は食欲が大きい). He lost his appetite after the illness - (あの病気の後、彼の食欲がなくなった).
和食: "Japanese cuisine". The Japanese noun '和食 (わしょく)' means 'Japanese cuisine'. It refers to the traditional cooking styles, ingredients, and dishes that are native to Japan. 和食 encompasses a wide variety of foods such as sushi, tempura, ramen, and many other dishes that are characterized by their delicate flavors, emphasis on seasonality, and minimalist presentation. It is an important part of Japanese culture and identity. For example: I enjoy eating Japanese cuisine - (私は和食を楽しんでいます).
洋食: "Western food". The noun '洋食 (ようしょく)' refers to Western-style cuisine or food, in contrast to traditional Japanese cuisine ('和食'). It includes dishes such as meats, pastas, breads, and other foods that originated in the West. For example: I want to eat some Western food tonight - (今夜は洋食が食べたいです).
To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.
But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.
Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.
This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:
The hiragana "た" is read as "ta". The hiragana "じ" is read as "ji". The hiragana "き" is read as "ki". The hiragana "し" is read as "shi". And The hiragana "く" is read as "ku".
Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.
For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).
For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).
For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.