‘丐食’ is a formal or literary verb meaning 'to beg for food'—it describes the act of seeking sustenance by asking others for alms, often implying hardship, poverty, or religious practice (e.g., certain Buddhist monks who rely on alms rounds). The character 丐 (gài) means 'to beg' or 'beggar', while 食 (shí) means 'food' or 'to eat'; together they form a compact compound emphasizing the purpose of begging—specifically for nourishment.

This term is rarely used in modern spoken Mandarin; it appears more frequently in classical texts, historical narratives, or solemn descriptions of social marginalization. It carries a slightly archaic or compassionate tone and is not neutral slang—it evokes images of destitution or disciplined asceticism rather than casual street begging. Learners should recognize it in reading but avoid using it in everyday conversation, where phrases like ‘讨饭’ or ‘乞讨食物’ are more natural and widely understood.