classifier for things with mouths (people, domestic animals, cannons, wells etc)
HSK 1, q, 3 strokes, radical 口, rank #758, Easy
口
kǒu
classifier for bites or mouthfuls
HSK 1, q, 3 strokes, radical 口, rank #758, Easy
口
kǒu
mouth; entrance, gate, opening
HSK 1, q, 3 strokes, radical 口, rank #758, Easy
kǒu(kou3) T3
1mouth
2classifier for things with mouths (people, domestic animals, cannons, wells etc)
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March 24, 2026
口kǒu(kou3)
The character 口 (kǒu) primarily means 'mouth' and is used both literally and metaphorically. It serves as a classifier for various entities that have mouths, such as people, animals, and certain objects, as well as for bites or mouthfuls of food. This character is foundational in Mandarin, appearing in many compound words and phrases.
Strokes3Radical口Frequency#758DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'mouth' (口) extends beyond just the physical organ; it symbolizes communication and expression. The phrase 口才 (kǒucái) refers to eloquence or speaking ability, highlighting the importance of verbal expression in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large mouth (口) opening wide to speak or eat. The shape of the character resembles an open mouth, and you can remember the sound 'kǒu' by thinking of a mouth saying 'coo!' like a dove. Visualizing a dove cooing can help connect the character to its meaning.
Meanings of 口
kǒu(kou3)
1mouth
2classifier for things with mouths (people, domestic animals, cannons, wells etc)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 口
口Simplified
3Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#758Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 口
Podcast: 口
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AI Study Notes for 口
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large mouth (口) opening wide to speak or eat. The shape of the character resembles an open mouth, and you can remember the sound 'kǒu' by thinking of a mouth saying 'coo!' like a dove. Visualizing a dove cooing can help connect the character to its meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 口 with other similar characters like 吗 (ma) and 叫 (jiào), which also relate to speaking but have different meanings. In informal contexts, you might hear 口 used to describe someone talking, while in formal situations, it could refer to an entrance or opening. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 3, 口 is a fundamental character that connects to other words related to speech and communication. Students should focus on its usage in common phrases like 口语 (kǒuyǔ, spoken language) and how it functions as a classifier in various contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'mouth' (口) extends beyond just the physical organ; it symbolizes communication and expression. The phrase 口才 (kǒucái) refers to eloquence or speaking ability, highlighting the importance of verbal expression in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 口 to describe non-mouth objects, such as saying '口车' (kǒu chē, mouth car) instead of the correct term '车' (chē). Remember that 口 specifically refers to entities with mouths or openings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 口
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Grammar Patterns of 口
口 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
'口' not only refers to the mouth but also acts as a classifier for creatures and objects that have an opening, highlighting the importance of communication and expression in Chinese culture.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'mouth' (口) extends beyond just the physical organ; it symbolizes communication and expression. The phrase 口才 (kǒucái) refers to eloquence or speaking ability, highlighting the importance of verbal expression in social interactions.
Word Family of 口
Words Containing This Character20
口kǒumouth
出口chūkǒuan exit
人口rénkǒupopulation
伤口shāngkǒuwound傷口
开口kāikǒuto open one's mouth開口
借口jièkǒuexcuse
进口jìnkǒuto import進口
口袋kǒudaipocket
口味kǒuwèiflavor
门口ménkǒudoorway門口
窗口chuāngkǒuwindow
入口rùkǒuentrance
接口port
港口gǎngkǒuport
口音kǒuyīnvoice
口气kǒuqìtone of voice口氣
路口lùkǒucrossing
一口readily
胃口wèikǒuappetite
口径kǒujìngcaliber口徑
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 口 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 口
You can use 口 (kǒu) in sentences like '他家有五口人' (tā jiā yǒu wǔ kǒu rén), which means 'There are five people in his family.' Another example is '我吃了三口饭' (wǒ chīle sān kǒu fàn), meaning 'I took three bites of rice.' This shows its function both as a classifier and in everyday conversation.
口 (kǒu) means 'mouth' in Chinese. It is also used as a classifier for things that have mouths, such as people, animals, and even objects like wells and cannons. Additionally, it can serve as a classifier for bites or mouthfuls of food.
To use 口 (kǒu) as a classifier, you place it after the noun you are quantifying. For example, you would say '三口人' (sān kǒu rén) to mean 'three people' or '两口水' (liǎng kǒu shuǐ) to mean 'two mouthfuls of water.' Remember that it specifically relates to items with mouths or bites.
Some common phrases include 口水 (kǒushuǐ, saliva), 入口 (rùkǒu, entrance), and 口语 (kǒuyǔ, spoken language).
You can use 口 to quantify nouns that have mouths, for instance, '两口人' (liǎng kǒu rén, two people) or '三口井' (sān kǒu jǐng, three wells).
Yes, 口 can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in formal settings, it might refer to openings or entrances rather than casual conversations.
