口器

kǒuqì

noun

Meanings

1 mouthparts (of insects and other arthropods)

Characters

organ; implement

Examples

HSK 7-9

蚊子的口器像一根细针。

Wénzi de kǒuqì xiàng yì gēn xì zhēn.

A mosquito's mouthparts are like a fine needle.

HSK 7-9

蝴蝶的口器平时卷着，吸花蜜时才伸直。

Húdié de kǒuqì píngshí juǎn zhe, xī huāmì shí cái shēnzhí.

A butterfly keeps its mouthparts coiled up and only straightens them to sip nectar.

Tips

usage

Textbooks sort mouthparts by how the insect feeds: 咀嚼式口器 'chewing mouthparts' (locusts, beetles), 刺吸式口器 'piercing-sucking mouthparts' (mosquitoes, aphids) and 虹吸式口器 'siphoning mouthparts' (butterflies).

Stroke Order

口 kǒu

器 qì