Definitions

kǒu (noun) mouth
kǒu (classifier) classifier for things with mouths (people, animals)
kǒu (noun) entrance; exit

Etymology

Pictograph of a mouth.

About

The character '口' began as a stylized depiction of a human mouth, with its form condensing over time into a straightforward square outline. Its core meaning referring to the mouth itself has persisted, but its semantic range expanded to encompass any similar opening, such as a gate, a hole, or a breach, while also serving as a foundational radical in constructing numerous characters related to speech, consumption, or enclosed areas. This progression from a concrete pictogram to a versatile lexical element illustrates its adaptive function within the linguistic system.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我家门有一棵树。

Wǒ jiā ménkǒu yǒu yī kē shù.

There is a tree at my doorstep.

这个出在哪里?

Zhège chūkǒu zài nǎlǐ?

Where is this exit?

她的音很特别。

Tā de kǒuyīn hěn tèbié.

Her accent is very special.

我喜欢这种味。

Wǒ xǐhuān zhè zhǒng kǒuwèi.

I like this flavor.

他流了很多水。

Tā liúle hěnduō kǒushuǐ.

He drooled a lot.

我的袋里有钥匙。

Wǒ de kǒudài lǐ yǒu yàoshi.

There are keys in my pocket.

学习语很重要。

Xuéxí kǒuyǔ hěn zhòngyào.

Learning spoken language is important.

火山正在喷发。

Huǒshānkǒu zhèngzài pēnfā.

The volcano crater is erupting.