吃

chī v.

To take food into the mouth, chew, and swallow. To eat, absorb, take in, or endure something (losses, hardship, surprise).

The universal life-giving action of eating and nourishing yourself.

In China, 吃 is the center of the universe. Asking someone if they have eaten is expressing deep care, not curiosity about digestion.

Common Usage & Traps

  • 吃饭 — eat a meal
  • 吃一个工作 做工作

    吃 is strictly for food, drink, and cultural idioms.

Why does the old cook say "多吃一点儿" (eat a bit more) as a greeting?

Encouraging guests to eat generously is the classic Chinese expression of warmth and grandmotherly hospitality.

Saying 多吃一点儿 shows you care about the person's well-being and strength after a long exhausting day.

Appears in Stories 14 stories

Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.

《友好的高友朋》 (A Friendly New Friend at Work) HSK 2
~4 min read 243 chars
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Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.

  • 他今天从上海回来,晚上就和我去了一个饭馆儿 吃 北京菜。

  • 这是我第一次在中国 吃 中国菜,很好吃,我很喜欢。

《热面条》 (Hot Noodles on a Cold Night) HSK 1
~5 min read 399 chars
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Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.

  • 老先生很高兴,对大中说:“不客气,多 吃 一点儿。”

  • 大中想 吃 晚饭。

《你误会方便面了吗?》 (Are Instant Noodles Misunderstood?) HSK 6
~10 min read 1171 chars
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Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.

  • 为什么中国消费者这么“害怕” 吃 方便面呢?

  • 看一下“人体所需营养”目录,就明白一个人最好每天 吃 10到30种以上的食物,这样才能得到各种各样的营养。

《一家人》 (Our Family Day) HSK 1
~1 min read 47 chars
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This simple story introduces you to a family and what each member likes to do. Learn helpful words for food and daily activities as you read about Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, and the kids.

  • 爷爷 吃 面包,奶奶喝牛奶。

  • 爸爸喝热茶妈妈 吃 冷菜。

《大学者和小人物》 (The Scholar and the Cookie Seller) HSK 5
~8 min read 882 chars
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Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.

  • 胡之适接过饼干,微笑着拿起一个便 吃 ,脸上现出近几年来很少见的欢愉。

  • 他的一个朋友拿了一块饼干送到他的病房,跟他开玩笑:“我给你 吃 一样东西。

《一到十二月》 (Twelve Months of Love) HSK 1
~2 min read 108 chars
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Welcome! This short poem helps you practice the months, weekdays, and mealtimes in Chinese. Read it aloud and notice the rhythm. You already know many of these words!

  • 早上 吃 早饭,上午喝早茶,中午 吃 午饭。

  • 下午下午茶,晚上 吃 晚饭。

《我的一天》 (My Day by the Clock) HSK 1
~1 min read 72 chars
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Step through a full day—from morning routines to bedtime—and pick up practical phrases for telling time and talking about your own schedule with a typical Chinese rhyme.

  • 早上六点半,起床 吃 早饭。

  • 上午四小时,中午 吃 中饭。

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