素食
sù shí · HSK 7
vegetarian food
🥦🍱 素 sù = plain/unadorned + 食 shí = food → plain food = vegetarian fare
素 carries the sense of plain, unbleached silk, hence simple or meatless; 食 means food or to eat. Together: plain, meat-free eating. The sù in 素食 is the same sù as in 素描 (plain sketch) and 朴素 (simple, unadorned).
素 — silk 糸 + sheng 𠂹 (hanging threads)
Originally depicted raw, undyed silk hanging to dry, with the silk radical 糸 below and strands above. From this came the meaning 'plain, unadorned, white,' then extended to 'basic element' or 'plain/simple' in general. The 'vegetarian' sense developed later from the idea of plain, unembellished food.
sù shí · HSK 5
vegetarian food
🥦🍚 素食 = plain/simple + food
素 means plain, unadorned, or undyed (originally raw silk); 食 means food or to eat. Together: plain food, i.e. vegetarian fare without meat.
素 — silk 糸 + sheng 𠂹 (hanging threads)
Originally depicted raw, undyed silk hanging to dry, with the silk radical 糸 below and strands above. From this came the meaning 'plain, unadorned, white,' then extended to 'basic element' or 'plain/simple' in general. The 'vegetarian' sense developed later from the idea of plain, unembellished food.