营养

• Pinyin: yíng yǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 营 = 艹 (grass) + 吕 + 冖 (cover), simplified from 營; 养 = simplified from 養, meaning 'to nourish'

Meaning

Nutrition; nourishment. Refers to the substances in food that the body needs to grow and stay healthy.

Used both as a noun (nutrition, nutrients) and as an adjective (nutritious). Commonly discussed in the context of food, health, and diet. Often paired with 丰富 (rich) to describe food that is highly nutritious.

Examples

1. 多吃蔬菜和水果对营养很重要。 Eating more vegetables and fruits is important for nutrition.
2. 这种食物的营养价值很高。 This type of food has very high nutritional value.
3. 孩子成长需要充足的营养。 Children need sufficient nutrition for growth.

Usage Guide

Context: health, food, medical

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 这道菜很有营养。(This dish is very nutritious.)
• 我们要注意营养均衡。(We should pay attention to balanced nutrition.)

Don't Say

• 这个衣服很营养。(Don't use 营养 to describe non-food items — it only applies to food and health contexts)

Origin & History

营 (camp, to manage) + 养 (to nourish, to raise). Together they mean 'to manage nourishment' or 'nutrition.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal