expression, ichidan verb
eat raw; eat fresh (uncooked)
Used for consuming food without cooking, such as sashimi, raw vegetables, or fresh fruit. The 生で part means 'in a raw state'.
この魚は生で食べられますか。
Can this fish be eaten raw?
野菜は生で食べるのが一番おいしい。
Vegetables are most delicious when eaten raw.
Standard kanji-kana spelling for the phrase.
Kana spelling for 生 is common when emphasizing the reading or for learners.
Compound of 生 (nama, 'raw') + で (de, particle indicating state) + 食べる (taberu, 'to eat'). A straightforward phrase with no obscure etymology.