zuǐ HSK 3

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他的嘴很小。
Tā de zuǐ hěn xiǎo.
His mouth is small.
鸟的嘴很尖。
Niǎo de zuǐ hěn jiān.
The bird's beak is sharp.
她张开了嘴。
Tā zhāngkāi le zuǐ.
She opened her mouth.
他嘴很小。
Tā zuǐ hěn xiǎo.
His mouth is very small.
猫嘴很可爱。
Māo zuǐ hěn kě'ài.
A cat's mouth is very cute.

💡 Memory Tip

Imagine the character 嘴: the left radical 口 means 'mouth,' and the right part 觜 (zī) historically related to a beak or mouth. Think: 'This word itself has a 口 in it, so it must be about the mouth!'

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in register and is used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is very common in everyday contexts to describe the body part, but it can also appear in idioms or figurative expressions (e.g., 嘴甜, meaning 'sweet-mouthed' or flattering).

📖 Grammar Points

嘴 is typically used as a noun and can be modified by adjectives (e.g., 大嘴, 小嘴). It often appears in verb-object structures like 张开嘴 (open mouth) or 闭上嘴 (close/shut mouth).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, phrases involving 嘴 can carry social connotations; for example, 嘴甜 is a positive trait implying someone speaks pleasantly, while 嘴硬 (stubborn in speech) can be negative. Idioms like 乌鸦嘴 (literally 'crow's mouth') refer to someone who brings bad luck by saying pessimistic things.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 口 (kǒu), which also means 'mouth,' 嘴 is more colloquial and concrete, often referring to the physical organ or its shape. 口 is more formal, used in medical/technical terms (口腔), and frequently appears in compound words for openings or entrances (e.g., 门口).

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