粮食

• Pinyin: liáng shi
• Hanzi breakdown: 粮 = 米 (rice) + 量 (measure/amount) — measured grain, provisions; 食 = pictograph of a food vessel with a lid — food, to eat

Meaning

Grain; food; cereals. A general term for staple crops such as rice, wheat, and corn used as food.

Refers broadly to staple food crops — rice, wheat, corn, millet, and other grains. Commonly used in discussions about agriculture, food security, and policy. Differs from 食物 (food in general) in that 粮食 specifically means grain or staple crops. Often seen in: 粮食产量 (grain output), 粮食安全 (food security), 节约粮食 (conserve food/grain).

Examples

1. 今年的粮食产量比去年高了不少。 This year's grain output is significantly higher than last year's.
2. 我们不应该浪费粮食。 We should not waste food.
3. 这个地区主要种植小麦和玉米等粮食作物。 This region mainly grows grain crops such as wheat and corn.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, food security, policy, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 节约粮食是每个人的责任。(Conserving grain is everyone's responsibility.)
• 这片土地种出来的粮食够全村人吃。(The grain grown on this land is enough to feed the whole village.)

Don't Say

• 我去超市买粮食了 (For everyday grocery shopping, use 食物 or 东西 — 粮食 refers to bulk grain/crops, not individual food items at a supermarket)

Origin & History

Composed of 粮 (grain, provisions — originally meaning travel rations) and 食 (food, to eat). Together they emphasise grain as the essential staple food.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal