口
kuchi
The English word 'mouth' is translated into Japanese as 口 (kuchi).
口 refers to the opening of a creature through which food is ingested. Much like in English, it is also used metaphorically to describe a person's tendency to share secrets, such as saying someone has a 'light mouth'.
Meaning: the opening of a creature through which food is ingested (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
However, adding the honorific prefix to create お口 makes the word sound more polite, gentle or soft. This polite version is often used when speaking to children or when making polite requests.
How does it change in a sentence?
口 is a noun and does not change its form to indicate whether there is one mouth or multiple mouths.
How do you pronounce it?
kuchi
Did you know?
- The phrase 口が重い literally means 'heavy mouth' but is used to describe someone who is taciturn or reluctant to speak.
- In Japanese, 口 can be used as a counter for entrances, such as the 'North Exit' of a train station.
- The character 口 is one of the most basic building blocks in Japanese writing, often used as a component inside more complex characters to represent sounds or meanings related to openings.
Examples in context
- 彼は口が軽い。He has a big mouth.This sentence illustrates the metaphorical use of 口 to describe someone who cannot keep secrets.Tatoeba #2295512 by bunbuku, translation #293248 by CK
- お口、開けて。Open your mouth.This sentence shows a request to open the 口.Tatoeba #10635059 by small_snow, translation #240551 by CK
- 口で息をして。Breathe through your mouth.This sentence demonstrates how to describe breathing through the 口.Tatoeba #11814369 by small_snow, translation #11336816 by ddnktr
- 彼は口を開かなかったHe didn't open his mouth.
- ご飯をお口に入れてくださいPlease put the rice in your mouth.
- 96 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are looking at a small fish in an aquarium.
- 美咲 Misakiこの魚、口がすごく小さいね。Kono sakana, kuchi ga sugoku chiisai ne.This fish has a very small mouth, doesn't it?
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。口をパクパクさせてる。Hontou da. Kuchi o pakupaku saseteru.You're right. It's moving its mouth up and down.
- 美咲 Misaki何か食べたいのかな？Nanika tabetai no kana?I wonder if it wants to eat something?
- 蓮 Renたぶん、餌を待ってるんだよ。Tabun, esa o matteru nda yo.It's probably waiting for food.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mouth” translations and entries 口, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
