口

• Pinyin: kǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 口 = pictograph of an open mouth

Meaning

Mouth; opening; measure word for family members. A basic character used for the body part, various openings, and counting people in a household.

As a noun, 口 means mouth (开口 open one's mouth) or an opening (门口 doorway, 路口 intersection). As a measure word, it counts family members: 我家有四口人 (there are four people in my family). Also counts certain objects like wells (一口井) and pots (一口锅). Appears as a radical in many characters related to speaking and eating.

Examples

1. 我家有五口人。 There are five people in my family.
2. 请在路口左转。 Please turn left at the intersection.
3. 他渴了，喝了一口水。 He was thirsty and took a sip of water.

Usage Guide

Context: family, everyday, directions

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你家有几口人？(How many people are in your family?)
• 到路口右转就到了。(Turn right at the intersection and you're there.)

Don't Say

• 说'三口朋友'来数朋友。(Don't use 口 to count friends — 口 as a measure word is only for family members; say 三个朋友)

Origin & History

One of the oldest pictographic characters, depicting the shape of an open mouth. It has served as both an independent character and a common radical in thousands of compound characters.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal