有机
yǒujī
The English word organic is translated into Chinese as 有机 (yǒujī).
In the context of food and food products, 有机 is used to describe items grown without agrichemicals. When referring specifically to organic food products, it is common to add 食品 (shípǐn), meaning 'foodstuffs', after 有机 to create the term 有机食品 (organic food).
Meaning: of food and food products: grown without agrichemicals (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 有机 is the standard adjective, you may encounter different variations: 有机产品 (yǒu jī chǎn pǐn) specifically means organic produce and 有机性 (yǒu jī xìng) is used in scientific or technical contexts to refer to the organic nature of something.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, 有机 functions as a modifier directly before the noun it describes, such as 有机蔬菜 (organic vegetables).
How do you pronounce it?
yǒujī
Did you know?
- When shopping in China, you may see 绿色食品 (green food) next to 有机食品 (organic food). While both imply health, 'green food' is a specific Chinese grading system that allows some controlled pesticide use, whereas 有机 forbids it.
- The character 机 in 有机 originally meant 'loom' or 'machine' but in this context it refers to 'mechanism' or 'vitality'. It represents the biological machinery of life rather than a mechanical device.
- If you are describing a 'plot' in a movie or a 'logical structure' in a story, you might use 有机 to say it is well-integrated. It implies the parts work together like a single mechanism.
Examples in context
- 汤姆和玛丽拥有一个小型的有机农场。Tom and Mary own a small organic farm.This sentence shows how to use 有机 to describe a farm.Tatoeba #5085446 by Jubilee11, translation #5085372 by Hybrid
- 一些人只买有机的食物，他们认为这样可以使他们的健康不受污染的损害。Some people only buy organic food, they think that in this way their body will not be damaged by pollutants.This sentence shows how to use 有机 in the context of food and health.Tatoeba #736856 by GlossaMatik, translation #736875 by eastasiastudent
- 我喜欢吃有机的食物I like to eat organic food
- 你知道哪里有有机的东西卖吗?Do you know where I can buy organic stuff?
- 我喜欢吃有机蔬菜。Wǒ xǐhuān chī yǒujī shūcài.I like to eat organic vegetables.
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Haoran are shopping at a supermarket.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，你想买有机鸡蛋吗？Hàorán, nǐ xiǎng mǎi yǒujī jīdàn ma?Haoran, do you want to buy organic eggs?
- 浩然 Haoran我想买，但它们太贵了。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi, dàn tāmen tài guì le.I want to, but they are too expensive.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen不过有机食品对健康更好。Búguò yǒujī shípǐn duì jiànkāng gèng hǎo.But organic food is better for your health.
- 浩然 Haoran你说得对，我们买一盒吧。Nǐ shuō de duì, wǒmen mǎi yī hé ba.You're right, let's buy a carton.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
