开口

開口

kāikǒu

verb HSK 7-9 #2,307

Meanings

1 to open one's mouth; to start to speak
2 to make a request; to ask (someone for something)

Characters

Literally 'open mouth.' Beyond the physical action, it often implies summoning the courage to speak up or ask for something.

Examples

他想借钱，但不好意思开口。

Tā xiǎng jiè qián, dàn bùhǎoyìsi kāikǒu.

He wanted to borrow money but was too embarrassed to ask.

孩子两岁了还没开口说话。

Háizi liǎng suì le hái méi kāikǒu shuōhuà.

The child is two years old and still hasn't started talking.

他一开口就让人觉得很幽默。

Tā yì kāikǒu jiù ràng rén juéde hěn yōumò.

The moment he opens his mouth, people find him funny.

Tips

usage

开口 often carries emotional weight — it's not just speaking, it's breaking a silence. 不好意思开口 (embarrassed to ask) and 难以开口 (hard to bring up) are very common collocations.

Stroke Order

开 kāi

口 kǒu