HSK 3, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #403, Medium
嘴
zuǐ
beak
HSK 3, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #403, Medium
嘴
zuǐ
nozzle
HSK 3, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #403, Medium
嘴
zuǐ
spout (of teapot etc)
HSK 3, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #403, Medium
嘴
zuǐ
>张[zhāng],個
HSK 3, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #403, Medium
嘴
zuǐ
>个[gè]
HSK 3, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #403, Medium
嘴
zuǐ
mouth, lips
HSK 3, n, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #403, Medium
zuǐ(zui3) T3
1mouth
2beak
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March 24, 2026
嘴zuǐ(zui3)
The character 嘴 (zuǐ) primarily means 'mouth' and can refer to both human mouths and those of animals, such as beaks. It is also used in contexts involving spouts or nozzles, like those found on teapots. This term is common in both everyday conversation and more formal discussions about anatomy or objects.
Strokes16Radical口Frequency#403DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'mouth' (嘴) extends beyond the physical aspect; it also relates to speech and communication. Phrases involving 嘴 often reflect social interactions, such as '嘴巴甜' (zuǐbā tián), meaning someone is eloquent or persuasive.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bird with a big beak (嘴), and say 'zuǐ' as you point to its mouth. The character has a mouth-like shape, reminding you of the sound it makes while eating or chirping. Visualizing this can help reinforce both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 嘴
zuǐ(zui3)
1mouth
2beak
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 嘴
嘴Simplified
16Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#403Frequency Rank
张Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 嘴
Podcast: 嘴
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AI Study Notes for 嘴
Quick Contrast
嘴 (zuǐ) vs 口 (kǒu) — use 嘴 for human and animal mouths, while 口 refers more generally to openings or entrances.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bird with a big beak (嘴), and say 'zuǐ' as you point to its mouth. The character has a mouth-like shape, reminding you of the sound it makes while eating or chirping. Visualizing this can help reinforce both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 嘴; it can describe not just the mouth of a person but also that of animals and objects. Common collocations include '嘴巴' (zuǐbā, 'mouth') for casual conversations. Ensure you pronounce it with the correct third tone to avoid confusion with other similar characters.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 3, 嘴 is a practical word that connects with other vocabulary related to body parts and animals. Students should focus on using it in sentences to describe actions or characteristics involving the mouth, as well as practicing its usage in different contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'mouth' (嘴) extends beyond the physical aspect; it also relates to speech and communication. Phrases involving 嘴 often reflect social interactions, such as '嘴巴甜' (zuǐbā tián), meaning someone is eloquent or persuasive.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 嘴 with 口 (kǒu), which also means 'mouth' but has a broader range of uses. For example, saying '我有一个嘴' (wǒ yǒu yī gè zuǐ) is incorrect; it should be '我有一个口' when referring to a mouth in general terms.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嘴
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Grammar Patterns of 嘴
嘴 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 7 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.
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'mouth' (嘴) extends beyond the physical aspect; it also relates to speech and communication. Phrases involving 嘴 often reflect social interactions, such as '嘴巴甜' (zuǐbā tián), meaning someone is eloquent or persuasive.
七嘴八舌qīzuǐbāshélively discussion with everybody talking at once
撇嘴to curl one's lip
馋嘴gluttonous饞嘴
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 嘴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嘴
Some common expressions include '嘴巴' (zuǐba), which means 'mouth' and is often used in colloquial speech. Another example is '嘴甜' (zuǐ tián), meaning 'sweet-tongued' or someone who is good at flattering.
Yes, 嘴 (zuǐ) appears in various idioms, such as '嘴上功夫' (zuǐ shàng gōngfu), which refers to someone who is good at talking but not at taking action. These idioms enrich the language and provide cultural insights.
嘴 (zuǐ) means 'mouth' in Chinese, and it can also refer to a beak or a nozzle, such as the spout of a teapot. It is commonly used in everyday language to describe the mouth of a person or animal.
You can use 嘴 (zuǐ) in sentences like '她的嘴很小' (Her mouth is very small) or '鸟的嘴很尖' (The bird's beak is very sharp). It is often combined with other words to describe actions related to the mouth.
嘴 (zuǐ) is the general term for 'mouth', while 嘴巴 (zuǐbā) is a more casual or colloquial way to refer to it.
Yes, 嘴 can refer to spouts or nozzles, such as on teapots, expanding its usage beyond just mouths.
An example would be '他的嘴很大' (tā de zuǐ hěn dà), meaning 'His mouth is very big'.
