口水

• Pinyin: kǒu shuǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 口 = mouth; 水 = pictograph of flowing water

Meaning

Saliva; drool. The fluid produced by glands in the mouth.

Used literally for saliva and figuratively in expressions like 口水战 (war of words), 口水歌 (catchy but shallow pop song). Can also describe craving something so much you're drooling. Common in casual speech.

Examples

1. 看到美食，他忍不住流口水。 Seeing the delicious food, he couldn't help but drool.
2. 两家公司打了一场口水战，互相攻击对方。 The two companies got into a war of words, attacking each other.
3. 宝宝睡觉的时候流了一枕头口水。 The baby drooled all over the pillow while sleeping.

Usage Guide

Context: food, craving, verbal dispute

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 看得我直流口水。(It made my mouth water.)
• 别浪费口水了。(Don't waste your breath.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合说'流口水'。(In formal settings, use 垂涎 instead — 流口水 is casual/informal)

Origin & History

Compound of 口 (mouth) + 水 (water). Literally 'mouth water' — saliva.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal