chīhuò: 吃货 - Foodie, Glutton (endearing)

• Keywords: chihuo, chīhuò, 吃货, Chinese foodie, what does chihuo mean, Chinese slang for foodie, love to eat in Chinese, gourmand in Chinese, Chinese food culture
• Summary: Discover the meaning of chīhuò (吃货), the popular Chinese slang term for a “foodie.” This entry explains why chīhuò means more than just a gourmet; it describes a person who has a passionate, joyful, and all-encompassing love for eating. Learn its cultural context, how to use it in modern conversation, and how it differs from the English word “foodie” to truly understand this essential piece of modern Chinese vocabulary.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chīhuò
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Modern Slang)
• Concise Definition: A person who is extremely passionate about eating; a foodie.
• In a Nutshell: A chīhuò is someone whose life revolves around the joy of food. Unlike the English “foodie,” which can imply a sophisticated palate, a chīhuò's love for food is broad, enthusiastic, and unpretentious. They love everything from street-side snacks to fine dining. The term is informal, often used affectionately for friends or as a proud, self-deprecating label for oneself. It captures the pure, simple happiness that comes from a delicious meal.

• 吃 (chī): To eat. This is one of the most fundamental characters in Chinese, representing the basic act of consumption.
• 货 (huò): Goods, merchandise, stuff. On its own, it refers to products. When attached to a verb or adjective to describe a person (e.g., 蠢货 chǔnhuò - stupid person), it can be derogatory.

The combination of “eat” + “stuff/person” creates a playful, informal noun. The slightly slangy nature of 货 (huò) strips away any pretense, creating a term that means something like “an entity of eating” or “someone who is all about the 'goods' (food).” It's this combination that gives 吃货 (chīhuò) its endearing, slightly gluttonous, and informal feel.

In a culture where “Have you eaten?” (你吃了吗? nǐ chīle ma?) is a standard greeting equivalent to “How are you?”, the importance of food cannot be overstated. Food is central to socializing, family gatherings, business deals, and showing care. 吃货 (chīhuò) is a modern reflection of this deep-seated cultural value. While the West has the concept of a “foodie,” it's not a perfect match. A “foodie” in American or Western culture often implies connoisseurship—someone who studies chefs, understands complex flavor profiles, and might favor artisanal, organic, or high-end cuisine. A 吃货 (chīhuò), on the other hand, is defined by passion and enthusiasm more than expertise. They are democratic in their tastes. A chīhuò gets just as excited about a perfectly fried street-cart skewer as they do about a Michelin-star dessert. The focus is on the sheer joy and satisfaction of eating. Calling yourself a 吃货 is a way of aligning with a core cultural pleasure and expressing a simple, relatable love for life's delicious offerings.

吃货 (chīhuò) is an extremely common term in everyday, informal Mandarin, especially among younger generations.

• Self-Identity: People proudly and frequently call themselves a 吃货. It's a cute and relatable persona, suggesting they are fun-loving and easy to please.
• Social Media: The term is rampant on social media platforms like Weibo, Douyin (TikTok), and Xiaohongshu. Food bloggers are 吃货, and posts about meals are often tagged with #吃货日常 (chīhuò rìcháng - a foodie's daily life) or #吃货日记 (chīhuò rìjì - a foodie's diary).
• Connotation and Formality: The connotation is overwhelmingly positive and affectionate. It's used between friends, partners, and family in a light-hearted, teasing manner. It is highly informal and should not be used in formal or professional writing. While it technically implies a degree of gluttony, it's framed as a lovable trait rather than a negative one.

• Example 1:
  • 我承认我就是一个吃货，看到好吃的就走不动路了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ chéngrèn wǒ jiùshì yí ge chīhuò, kàndào hǎochī de jiù zǒu bu dòng lù le.
  • English: I admit I'm a total foodie; when I see delicious food, I can't walk away.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of self-identification. The phrase 走不动路 (zǒu bu dòng lù - can't walk) is a common, humorous exaggeration used by a 吃货.
• Example 2:
  • 我女朋友是个吃货，所以我们约会基本上就是去探店。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ nǚpéngyou shì ge chīhuò, suǒyǐ wǒmen yuēhuì jīběnshang jiùshì qù tàndiàn.
  • English: My girlfriend is a foodie, so our dates are basically just trying out new restaurants.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used to affectionately describe someone else. It explains a core part of her personality and their shared activities. 探店 (tàndiàn) is modern slang for “exploring shops/restaurants,” a common activity for a 吃货.
• Example 3:
  • 吃货的快乐就是这么简单，一杯奶茶就能开心一整天。
  • Pinyin: Chīhuò de kuàilè jiùshì zhème jiǎndān, yì bēi nǎichá jiù néng kāixīn yì zhěng tiān.
  • English: A foodie's happiness is just this simple; a cup of milk tea can make them happy for the whole day.
  • Analysis: This sentence, often seen on social media, captures the spirit of the term—finding immense joy in simple culinary pleasures.
• Example 4:
  • 你看你，嘴上说着要减肥，还是个小吃货！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn nǐ, zuǐshàng shuōzhe yào jiǎnféi, háishì ge xiǎo chīhuò!
  • English: Look at you, saying you want to lose weight, but you're still such a little foodie!
  • Analysis: The addition of 小 (xiǎo - little) makes the term even more endearing and teasing. It's often used when someone gives in to temptation.
• Example 5:
  • 作为一名合格的吃货，我的旅行计划里全是美食。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yì míng hégé de chīhuò, wǒ de lǚxíng jìhuà lǐ quán shì měishí.
  • English: As a qualified foodie, my travel plans are filled with delicious food.
  • Analysis: This shows how the 吃货 identity can shape one's lifestyle and priorities, like travel.
• Example 6:
  • 这家餐厅是吃货们的天堂，什么都好吃。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng shì chīhuòmen de tiāntáng, shénme dōu hǎochī.
  • English: This restaurant is a paradise for foodies; everything is delicious.
  • Analysis: Here, 吃货们 (chīhuòmen) is the plural form, used to describe the target audience of a great restaurant.
• Example 7:
  • 别说我胖，我只是一个对美食非常执着的吃货。
  • Pinyin: Bié shuō wǒ pàng, wǒ zhǐshì yí ge duì měishí fēicháng zhízhuó de chīhuò.
  • English: Don't say I'm fat, I'm just a foodie who is very dedicated to delicious food.
  • Analysis: A humorous and common way to reframe potential criticism about eating a lot into a positive, passionate identity.
• Example 8:
  • 吃货们注意！本店新品上市，第二份半价！
  • Pinyin: Chīhuòmen zhùyì! Běndiàn xīnpǐn shàngshì, dì-èr fèn bànjià!
  • English: Attention foodies! Our shop has new products, get the second one for half price!
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how marketers use 吃货 to directly and informally address their target customers.
• Example 9:
  • 我的工资基本上都贡献给美食了，谁让我是一个天生的吃货呢。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de gōngzī jīběnshang dōu gòngxiàn gěi měishí le, shéi ràng wǒ shì yí ge tiānshēng de chīhuò ne.
  • English: My salary is basically all dedicated to food. Who can I blame, I was born a foodie.
  • Analysis: This shows a sense of humorous resignation and self-acceptance. The identity of a 吃货 is used as a final explanation for one's spending habits.
• Example 10:
  • 如果你是吃货，我强烈推荐你去成都，那里简直是美食之都。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ shì chīhuò, wǒ qiángliè tuījiàn nǐ qù Chéngdū, nàlǐ jiǎnzhí shì měishí zhī dū.
  • English: If you're a foodie, I strongly recommend you go to Chengdu. It's simply the capital of delicious food.
  • Analysis: This connects the 吃货 identity to travel recommendations, a very common use case.

• “Chīhuò” vs. “Gourmet”: The most common mistake is to treat 吃货 (chīhuò) as a direct equivalent for a “gourmet” or “food critic.” A 吃货 loves to eat, while a gourmet loves to analyze and appreciate fine food.
  • Incorrect: 这个米其林餐厅的主厨真是一个吃货。 (Zhège Mǐqílín cāntīng de zhǔchú zhēn shì yí ge chīhuò.)
  • Why it's wrong: This sounds strange because a Michelin-star chef is a professional with refined skills and taste. Calling them a 吃货 downplays their expertise and sounds too informal and simplistic.
  • Correct: 这个米其林餐厅的主厨真是一个美食家 (měishíjiā)。 (He is a true gourmet/epicure.)
• Formality: Never use 吃货 (chīhuò) in a formal essay, business proposal, or any situation requiring professional language. It is strictly informal, conversational slang.

• 美食家 (měishíjiā) - A gourmet, an epicure, a food critic. This is the more formal and sophisticated counterpart to 吃货. It emphasizes refined taste and knowledge.
• 饭桶 (fàntǒng) - Literally “rice bucket.” A derogatory term for a glutton; someone who eats a lot but is useless. It is strongly negative, unlike the affectionate 吃货.
• 好吃 (hǎochī) - Adjective meaning “delicious” or “tasty.” This is the ultimate goal for any 吃货.
• 嘴馋 (zuǐchán) - An adjective describing the state of craving food or having a watering mouth for something tasty. A 吃货 is often 嘴馋.
• 探店 (tàndiàn) - Literally “explore a shop.” A popular verb, especially on social media, for the activity of trying out new restaurants, cafes, or shops. A core hobby of a 吃货.
• 网红餐厅 (wǎnghóng cāntīng) - “Internet-famous restaurant.” A trendy spot that has gone viral online, often a prime destination for a 吃货 looking to “check-in” (打卡 dǎkǎ).
• 吃香的喝辣的 (chī xiāng de hē là de) - An idiom meaning “to eat fragrant things and drink spicy things,” which translates to living a good, prosperous life. This phrase describes the ideal lifestyle for a 吃货.
• 大快朵颐 (dà kuài duǒ yí) - A formal idiom (chengyu) meaning “to feast heartily; to gorge oneself with great satisfaction.” It describes the happy moment of eating that a 吃货 lives for.