How do you pronounce 口?

口 is pronounced "kǒu" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 口?

口 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 3 on the old exam, HSK 1 on the new one.

What words contain the character 口?

Common words with 口 include 一口气 (one breath), 一口 (readily), 上口 (to be able to read aloud fluently), 并口 (parallel port (computing)), 串口 (serial port (computing)).

How do you write 口?

口 has 3 strokes. Its radical is 口. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

口 (kǒu), mouth

Q: What does 口 mean in Chinese?

口 (kǒu) means "mouth; classifier for things with mouths (people, domestic animals, cannons, wells etc); classifier for bites or mouthfuls" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

口

kǒu

mouth; classifier for things with mouths (people, domestic animals, cannons, wells etc); classifier for bites or mouthfuls

HSK 1 Was HSK 3classifier3 strokes

Character Breakdown

An open square — a mouth

Radical: 口 (no. 30)Strokes: 3

View stroke order →

Definitions

(classifier) mouth
classifier for things with mouths (people, domestic animals, cannons, wells etc)
classifier for bites or mouthfuls

Example Sentences

他一口吃完了。

Tā yì kǒu chī wán le

He ate it in one bite

Words Containing 口

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
一口气	yī kǒu qì	one breath	HSK 6
一口	yī kǒu	readily
上口	shàng kǒu	to be able to read aloud fluently
并口	bìng kǒu	parallel port (computing)
串口	chuàn kǒu

Related Words

件(jiàn)· item

→

串(chuàn)· to string together

→

付(fù)· to pay

→

人次(rén cì)· person-times

→

Grammar Notes

Existential 有 SentencesHSK 3

Place + 有 + (Number + Measure Word) + Noun

Expressing Ratios/MultiplesHSK 4

Multiples: Number + 倍 | Fractions: Denominator + 分之 + Numerator | Percentages: 百分之 + Number

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 3
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

口: HSK 3 on the old exam, HSK 1 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 口 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.