吃
吃
“to eat”
Radical: 口
Strokes: 6
Level: HSK 1
How 吃 is built — side by side
口
Mouth · kǒu
An open mouth. Mouth actions (吃 eat, 喝 drink, 说 speak) and round objects use it.
乞
to beg
to beg; to request
The story behind 吃
Mouth (口) + 乞 (qǐ, to beg/sound) = to eat (吃).
💡 好吃 (hǎochī) = delicious. 吃饭 (chīfàn) = to eat.
Words with 吃
好吃 hǎochī — delicious
吃惊 chī jīng — to be startled
吃亏 chī kuī — to suffer losses
小吃 xiǎo chī — snack
吃苦 chī kǔ — to bear
吃力 chī lì — entail strenuous effort
Related characters
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