Meaning
节食 means to deliberately limit or reduce the amount of food one eats, typically for health or weight-loss purposes. The word combines 节 (to restrain, be moderate) with 食 (food, to eat), literally meaning to restrain one's eating. It generally implies a conscious, sustained effort to eat less than usual.
Usage
节食 is commonly used when discussing weight loss, health management, or dietary restrictions. It typically carries a somewhat serious or medical tone and often appears in contexts about dieting culture, health advice, or concerns about eating habits. Native speakers often pair it with words like 减肥 (lose weight) or 控制 (control).
Examples
- 01医生建议她不要过度节食，这样对身体不好。, .The doctor advised her not to diet excessively, as it's bad for her health.
- 02他为了减肥已经节食两个月了。.He has been on a diet for two months in order to lose weight.
Characters
Common collocations
- 节食减肥to diet to lose weight
- 过度节食to diet excessively
- 盲目节食to diet blindly (without proper guidance)
- 正在节食to be on a diet (currently)
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines the classical concept of 节 (moderation, restraint) with 食 (eating/food), reflecting traditional Chinese values of moderation in consumption.