主食

• Reading: しゅしょく
• Romaji: shushoku
• Kanji breakdown: 主 (shu/nushi) — main, primary; 食 (shoku/ta) — food, eating
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯ.ɕo.kɯ/

Meaning

Staple food. The primary grain or carbohydrate that forms the base of a diet.

A noun referring to the main food item that a culture or individual relies on for daily sustenance. In Japan, rice (米) is the traditional 主食, though bread and noodles are increasingly common. Often contrasted with 副食 (fukushoku, side dishes) or おかず (okazu, accompaniments).

Examples

1. 日本人の主食は昔からお米だ。 Rice has always been the staple food of the Japanese.
2. パンが主食の国も世界には多い。 There are many countries in the world where bread is the staple food.
3. 最近は主食を抜くダイエットが流行っている。 Lately, diets that cut out staple foods have been trending.

Usage Guide

Context: food, nutrition, culture

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 主 (shu, main/primary) + 食 (shoku, food/eating). Literally 'main food' — the central item in a meal.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal