The term is a perfect example of a modern, direct loan translation. `垃圾 (lājī)` means “trash,” and `食品 (shípǐn)` means “food products.” Together, they form `垃圾食品 (lājī shípǐn)`, an unapologetic and clear label for “junk food.”
The concept of `垃圾食品` is relatively new in China and reflects the massive societal and dietary shifts of the last few decades. Traditionally, Chinese food culture emphasizes balance, freshness, and medicinal properties (`食疗 shíliáo` - food therapy). The focus is on whole ingredients, seasonal eating, and harmony between different food types (yin and yang). In this context, the idea of mass-produced food engineered for taste and convenience at the expense of health was foreign. The term `垃圾食品` gained popularity with the influx of Western fast-food chains like KFC and McDonald's starting in the late 1980s. Initially, these were seen as trendy, modern, and even high-status. As health consciousness grew, these foods, along with packaged snacks and sugary sodas, were increasingly categorized as `垃圾食品`. While the American concept of “junk food” is almost identical, the Chinese term can sometimes feel more potent due to the directness of the word `垃圾` (trash). The contrast between `垃圾食品` and the traditional value of `养生 (yǎngshēng)`—nurturing one's health—is a significant point of cultural tension in modern China. It highlights the conflict between fast-paced modern lifestyles and deeply ingrained cultural values about well-being.
`垃圾食品` is an informal, everyday term used with a clear negative connotation regarding health.