可口

• Pinyin: kě kǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 可 = 丁 + 口; 口 = pictograph of mouth

Meaning

Tasty; delicious; palatable. Describes food or drinks that are pleasant to the taste.

A refined way to describe food that tastes good. More elegant than 好吃 and often used in slightly more formal contexts or written descriptions. Can also describe drinks and suggests that something is enjoyable and suits one's taste.

Examples

1. 妈妈做的家常菜简单却很可口。 Mom's home-cooked dishes are simple but delicious.
2. 这家餐厅的菜品不仅摆盘精美，而且味道可口。 The dishes at this restaurant are not only beautifully presented but also tasty.
3. 炎热的夏天来一杯冰镇酸梅汤，格外可口。 On a hot summer day, a glass of iced sour plum drink is especially refreshing.

Usage Guide

Context: food, dining, culinary

Tone: appreciative

Do Say

• 这道汤非常可口。(This soup is very tasty.)
• 她做的点心又好看又可口。(The pastries she makes are both beautiful and delicious.)

Don't Say

• 这首歌很可口。(Don't use 可口 for non-food items — it specifically describes taste; use 好听 for music)

Origin & History

Compound of 可 (able to satisfy) + 口 (mouth). Literally means 'able to please the mouth.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal