膳 (shàn) - Meals, food, provisions & specifically refers to prepared meals, dining, or catering

膳Tone 4

shàn ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

善上

膳 · shàn

Meals, food, provisions;

specifically refers to prepared meals, dining, or catering services.

Meals, food, provisionsspecifically refers to prepared meals, dining, or catering

Usage highlights

MealsLunchDinnerBreakfastSet mealCatering service

Synonyms

  • 食— Food, to eat
  • 餐— Meal, to dine
  • 饭— Cooked rice, meal

Antonyms

  • 饿— Hungry
  • 饥— Famine, hunger

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The school cafeteria provides lunch (学校提供午餐).
  • We need to prepare dinner (准备晚餐).
  • The restaurant offers set meals (套餐).
  • He is in charge of the kitchen (负责厨房).

Collocations

  • Meals(膳食)
  • Lunch(午餐)
  • Dinner(晚餐)
  • Breakfast(早餐)
  • Set meal(套餐)
  • Catering service(膳食服务)

Idioms

  • To eat well and live comfortably(丰衣足食)
  • To have insufficient food and clothing(食不果腹)
  • To work for one's living(自食其力)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, food is considered essential for health and well-being, and meals are often shared with family and friends.
  • The character 膳 is commonly used in contexts related to dining, catering, and nutrition, reflecting the importance of food in daily life.
  • In modern usage, 膳 is often associated with prepared meals, such as those provided by schools, companies, or restaurants.

FAQ