‘误食’ is a compound verb meaning ‘to accidentally ingest’—typically something harmful, toxic, or inappropriate, such as medicine meant for adults, spoiled food, or small objects. The first character 误 (wù) means ‘mistaken’ or ‘by accident’, while the second character 食 (shí) means ‘to eat’ or ‘to ingest’. Together, they emphasize unintentional consumption, often with negative or dangerous consequences.

This term is commonly used in health warnings, pet care advisories, and safety instructions—especially when discussing risks to children or animals who may not recognize hazards. It implies no negligence was intended, but the outcome could still be serious. Unlike general terms like ‘吃错’ (chī cuò, ‘eat the wrong thing’), ‘误食’ carries a stronger connotation of accidental exposure to danger and appears frequently in medical, veterinary, and public safety contexts.