口袋

• Pinyin: kǒu dai
• Hanzi breakdown: 口 = a square mouth shape (opening); 袋 = 代 (phonetic/substitute) + 衣 (clothing) — a clothing pouch with an opening

Meaning

Pocket; bag. Refers to a small compartment in clothing for holding items, or a small bag or sack.

Primarily means a pocket in clothing (e.g. 裤子口袋 trouser pocket, 外套口袋 jacket pocket). Also used for small cloth bags or sacks. Appears in set phrases like 口袋里 (inside the pocket) and figuratively in 口袋里没钱 (no money in the pocket — broke).

Examples

1. 他把手机放进了裤子口袋里。 He put his phone into his trouser pocket.
2. 我摸了摸口袋，发现钱包不见了。 I felt my pocket and realised my wallet was gone.
3. 她从口袋里掏出一张纸条，递给了我。 She took out a slip of paper from her pocket and handed it to me.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, clothing, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你的口袋里有什么？(What do you have in your pocket?)
• 这件衣服的口袋太小了，放不下手机。(The pockets on this piece of clothing are too small to fit a phone.)

Don't Say

• 把书放进口袋 (Don't say this unless the pocket is large enough — for unrealistically large items, 口袋 would be contextually odd; for bags/rucksacks use 书包 or 包)

Origin & History

A compound of 口 (mouth; opening) and 袋 (sack; bag), literally meaning a bag with a mouth-like opening — a pocket or pouch that opens at the top.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal