口 kǒu
“mouth; classifier for things with mouths (people, domestic animals, cannons, wells etc); classifier for bites or mouthfuls”
measure word, nounHSK 3 · 2021 list level 1
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
口 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 104: 口 kǒu — Level 1; official annotation 1 (名、量). PDF page 82
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 口
口 is a measure word used especially for counting the people in a family or household, as in 我家有三口人. It is also used for a mouthful of food or drink: verb + 一口 + noun, e.g. 喝了一口水. Remember that a measure word goes directly before the noun, with no 的 in between.
例句Example sentences
- 我家有三口人。wǒ jiā yǒu sān kǒu rén.There are three people in my family.
- 他喝了一口水。tā hē le yì kǒu shuǐ.He took a mouthful of water.
- 妹妹吃了一口蛋糕。mèi mei chī le yì kǒu dàn gāo.My little sister took a bite of cake.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我喝了一口的水。
✓我喝了一口水。
A measure word like 口 goes directly before the noun; it does not take 的.
-
✗我家有三个人口。
✓我家有三口人。
口 is the measure word and must come before 人, not after it as a noun.