In Huangdi Neijing, the five grains are called "japonica rice, adzuki bean, wheat, soybean and yellow rice", while in Mencius Teng Wengong, they are called "rice, millet, millet, wheat and oat", and in Buddhist sacrifices, they are also called "barley, wheat, rice, adzuki bean and flax". There is also a saying that grains generally refer to five crops, namely "hanging, rattan, root, horn and ear".

In modern common Chinese, commonly used grains refer to: rice, wheat, soybeans, corn and potatoes. At the same time, grains other than rice and flour are customarily called miscellaneous grains, and miscellaneous grains also refer to food crops, so grains are also a general term for food crops.

The word "five grains" in ancient times generally refers to: millet, beans, hemp, wheat and rice; At the same time, grain can also be a common word, referring to crops or agricultural products. Can be extended to foods and beverages containing cereals or native crops as raw materials.