Definition
吃荤 is a separable verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to eat meat or other non-vegetarian food'. The noun 荤 (non-vegetarian food) can split off from 吃 when you insert measure words, modifiers, or complements: 吃了一回荤 ('had a non-vegetarian meal once'). In Chinese food culture, 荤 (meat, fish, eggs, etc.) contrasts with 素 (vegetarian). You'll hear 吃荤 used in dietary contexts, especially when discussing vegetarianism (吃素) or religious restrictions.
v.o.
to eat meat or non-vegetarian food
Examples
- 吃荤，。Tā cóngxiǎo chī hūn, xiànzài xiǎng gǎi chī sù.He has eaten meat since childhood, but now he wants to switch to a vegetarian diet.
- ，，。Wèile jiànkāng, tā juédìng shǎo chī hūn, duō chī sù.For his health, he decided to eat less meat and more vegetables.
- ，。Cóng qùnián kāishǐ, tā méiyǒu chī guò yí cì hūn.Since last year, he hasn't eaten any meat even once.
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