口罩

• Pinyin: kǒu zhào
• Hanzi breakdown: 口 = mouth; 罩 = 罒 (net) + 卓 (table) — cover/hood

Meaning

Face mask; surgical mask. A protective covering worn over the nose and mouth.

Became ubiquitous vocabulary during the COVID-19 pandemic but was already common in East Asia for pollution, allergies, and illness prevention. Types include medical masks, N95 respirators, and cloth masks.

Examples

1. 疫情期间，口罩成了生活必需品。 During the pandemic, face masks became a daily necessity.
2. 进入医院必须佩戴口罩。 You must wear a mask when entering the hospital.
3. 她戴着口罩，我差点没认出来是她。 She was wearing a mask, and I almost didn't recognize her.

Usage Guide

Context: health, pandemic, everyday

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 记得戴口罩。(Remember to wear a mask.)
• 口罩要遮住口鼻。(The mask should cover both your mouth and nose.)

Don't Say

• 混淆口罩和面罩。(口罩 covers the mouth/nose for health; 面罩 is a full face mask for sports or protection)

Origin & History

Compound of 口 (mouth) + 罩 (cover/hood). Literally 'mouth cover.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal