食 – Eat, Food (Shoku / Taberu Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 食.
Kanji 食 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
食 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 食事 (shokuji – meal) and 朝食 (choushoku – breakfast).
Used as a verb meaning "to eat," such as 寿司を食べる (sushi o taberu – to eat sushi).
食 Stroke Order – How to Write 食
食 is written with 9 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the top umbrella/lid component first, followed by the legs and the bottom container part representing food or eating.
Common Words Using 食 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 8 essential words that use the kanji 食, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 食
See 食 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
朝ごはんを毎日食べます。
あさごはんを まいにち たべます。
Asa gohan o mainichi tabemasu.
I eat breakfast every day.
食堂で友達と昼食をとりました。
しょくどうで ともだちと ちゅうしょくを とりました。
Shokudou de tomodachi to chuushoku o torimashita.
I had lunch with my friend at the cafeteria.
日本の食べ物が大好きです。
にほんの たべものが だいすきです。
Nihon no tabemono ga daisuki desu.
I love Japanese food.
今夜は家族と一緒に外食します。
こんやは かぞくと いっしょに がいしょくします。
Konya wa kazoku to issho ni gaishoku shimasu.
Tonight I will dine out with my family.
野菜をたくさん食べるようにしています。
やさいを たくさん たべるように しています。
Yasai o takusan taberu you ni shite imasu.
I try to eat plenty of vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions About 食
What does the Kanji 食 mean?
食 means "eat" or "food." It is a fundamental JLPT N5 kanji used in daily verbs like 食べる (taberu, to eat) and nouns like 食事 (shokuji, meal).
What are the Onyomi readings of 食?
The Onyomi readings of 食 are ショク (shoku) and ジキ (jiki), as in 食事 (shokuji, meal) and 朝食 (choushoku, breakfast).
What are the Kunyomi readings of 食?
The main Kunyomi reading of 食 is たべる (taberu, to eat).
How many strokes does 食 have?
食 is written with 9 strokes.
Is 食 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 食 is an essential JLPT N5 kanji taught in grade 2 of Japanese elementary school.
Your Japanese story
starts right now.
Join 2.4 million learners. Free 6 Month Premium plan. No credit card needed.