零食

língshí

noun HSK 4 #8,895

Meanings

Literally 'fragmentary food', small bits of food eaten between meals.

我很喜欢吃零食。

Wǒ hěn xǐhuan chī língshí.

I really like eating snacks.

看电影的时候一定要买零食。

Kàn diànyǐng de shíhou yīdìng yào mǎi língshí.

You must buy snacks when watching a movie.

医生说少吃零食对身体好。

Yīshēng shuō shǎo chī língshí duì shēntǐ hǎo.

The doctor said eating fewer snacks is good for your health.

culture

Popular Chinese snacks include 辣条 (spicy strips), 瓜子 (sunflower seeds), and 话梅 (preserved plum).

usage

零食 is the general word for snacks. For specific types: 小吃 refers more to street food or local snack dishes.

零 líng

食 shí