出口

• Pinyin: chū kǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = to go out; 口 = pictograph of a mouth or opening

Meaning

Exit; export. Refers to the way out of a building or area, or the act of exporting goods.

As a noun meaning exit, it appears on signs in buildings, subway stations, and highways. As a verb or noun related to trade, it means to export or an export. Context determines the meaning.

Examples

1. 地铁站的出口在前面。 The subway station exit is up ahead.
2. 这些产品主要出口到东南亚。 These products are mainly exported to Southeast Asia.
3. 请从左边的出口离开。 Please leave through the exit on the left.

Usage Guide

Context: navigation, trade, transport

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 出口在哪儿？(Where is the exit?)
• 这家公司的产品出口到很多国家。(This company exports products to many countries.)

Don't Say

• 注意出口和入口是反义词 — 出口 is the exit or export, while 入口 is the entrance or import. Do not confuse them when reading signs.

Origin & History

Compound of 出 (to go out) and 口 (mouth, opening). Originally meant an opening to go out through, extended to export (goods going out).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal