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食 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.
to eat; food; animal feed
to feed (a person or animal)
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snack
culinary delicacy
foodstuff
dining hall
food
to eat
eating and drinking
staple food
appetite
lit. clothing, food, housing and transportation
to prey on
foodstuff
Notice where 食 sits in each complete thought.
I ate in the canteen.
Source: Tatoeba #2737459 · CC BY 2.0 FRWe Japanese live on rice.
Source: Tatoeba #602909 · CC BY 2.0 FRHe gave me food and money as well.
Source: Tatoeba #375363 · CC BY 2.0 FRAfter two days our food gave out.
Source: Tatoeba #5845593 · CC BY 2.0 FRThe food looks very delicious.
Source: Tatoeba #332735 · CC BY 2.0 FRDefinitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.