衣食住行

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"衣食住行" is a fixed four-character phrase referring to the basic necessities of life: clothing, food, housing, and transportation. It is often used to discuss fundamental living conditions or social welfare.

Common Contexts

This phrase frequently appears in discussions about quality of life, government policy, or economic development, emphasizing the essential aspects that affect daily living.

Collocations and Patterns

Usage Notes

When using "衣食住行," speakers imply a comprehensive view of basic life needs, not just one aspect. It is a formal expression often found in written or formal spoken Chinese. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler words like "穿" might be more common.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse "衣食住行" with just "," which omits transportation and thus is less complete in meaning.

Example Sentences

Clothing, food, housing, and transportation are the most basic needs in

The government should pay attention to the people's needs for clothing,

With economic development, people's conditions for clothing, food, housing,