食 (shí) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 食 (shí) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 食 (shí) means "to eat / food". It is an HSK Level 2 character, with 9 strokes and the radical 食.

Q: How do you write 食 stroke by stroke?

食 has 9 strokes. The radical is 食. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What is the radical of 食?

The radical of 食 is 食. The radical often gives a clue about the character's meaning category.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 食?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 食. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 食?

Common words containing 食 include: 食物 (shí wù) — food; 食谱 (shí pǔ) — recipe; cookbook; 面食 (miàn shí) — Wheaten food / flour-based food.

How to Write 食

The character 食 (shí) is written with 9 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 食 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

食 is pronounced shí in Mandarin Chinese. It means to eat / food.

As an HSK Level 2 character, 食 is among the first characters beginners learn.

Common Words with 食

食物 shí wù

food

食谱 shí pǔ

recipe; cookbook

面食 miàn shí

Wheaten food / flour-based food

Example Sentences

这里的食物很好吃。

zhè lǐ de shí wù hěn hǎo chī

The food here is very delicious.

我在看新的食谱。

wǒ zài kàn xīn de shí pǔ

I am looking at a new recipe.

北方人喜欢吃面食。

běi fāng rén xǐ huān chī miàn shí

Northerners like to eat wheaten food (noodles, dumplings, etc.).

Practice Writing 食 (shí)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 食 with real-time feedback.

App Store ▶ Google Play

Frequently Asked Questions about 食

What does 食 (shí) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 食 stroke by stroke?

What is the radical of 食?

What mistakes do learners make writing 食?

What common words use 食?

How to Write 食 (shí)