noun
food and clothing
Refers to the basic necessities of food and clothing, often used in contexts discussing living standards or basic needs.
衣食が足りなければ、他のことを考える余裕はない。
If you don't have enough food and clothing, you can't afford to think about other things.
noun
Extended meaning: the means to sustain life, often used in expressions like 衣食の道 (way of making a living).
彼は衣食のために、朝から晩まで働いている。
He works from morning till night for his livelihood.
Compound of 衣 (clothing) and 食 (food), reflecting the two fundamental necessities of life. The reading いしょく is the on'yomi of both kanji.