口
hau²
The English word mouth is translated into Cantonese as 口 (hau²). If unsure, use 口. Wiktionary also lists 嘴 (zeoi²).
Meaning: the opening of a creature through which food is ingested (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 口 | hau² |
| 嘴 | zeoi² |
口 is the standard term used in phrases related to the physical act of eating, swallowing or the capacity of the opening (e.g., 'putting something in one's mouth').
Which one should you use?
While 口 is the standard term for the physical opening, 嘴 is also a form used for mouth. The term 口腔 is a formal way to say mouth in Cantonese.
How do you pronounce it?
hau²
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the character 口 is also used as a classifier to count the number of people in a family, such as saying 'a family of four mouths'.
- In the Cantonese character for 'mouth' 口, the square shape is a pictograph intended to represent the open shape of a human mouth.
- While 口 refers to the mouth, the word for 'kiss' in Cantonese is 錫, which is historically related to the word for 'silver'.
Examples in context
- 呢粒糖太大，我擺唔落口。This piece of candy is too big to put in my mouth.This sentence shows how to use 口 when discussing the size of something being put into the mouth.Tatoeba #9536314 by nickyeow, translation #9501175 by CK
- 你睇吓你，食到成個口都係喇。Look at yourself, your whole mouth is full of food.This sentence uses 口 to describe food being present around the mouth area.Tatoeba #577484 by nickyeow, translation #6403825 by alishalikescats
- 你打喊露嗰陣要用隻手揞住個口。When you yawn, cover your mouth with your hand.This sentence demonstrates using 口 when describing the action of covering the mouth while yawning.Tatoeba #546627 by nickyeow, translation #530021 by aandrusiak
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Meiling and Zhiqiang are eating a meal together.
- 美玲 Mei Ling志強，你個口有嘢。Zi-keung, nei go hau jau je.Zhiqiang, there is something on your mouth.
- 志強 Chi Keung喺邊度？我唔感覺到。Hai bin dou? Ngo m gam gok dou.Where? I can't feel it.
- 美玲 Mei Ling喺你個口右邊，用紙巾抹吓。Hai nei go hau jau bin, jung zi zan mut ha.It's on the right side of your mouth, wipe it with a tissue.
- 志強 Chi Keung唔該你提醒我。M goi nei ceng sai ngo.Thanks for reminding me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mouth” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
