Chinese–EnglishWith examples

开口

kāi kǒu · kai kou

Traditional 開口

HSK 7–9

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. to open one's mouth
  2. to start to talk
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In a conversation

0:25 cartoon

Too shy to ask

  1. Liangliang

    灯灯(dēngdēng)，我(wǒ)想(xiǎng)借(jiè)你(nǐ)的(de)东西(dōngxi)，可是(kěshì)不好意思(bùhǎoyìsi)开口(kāikǒu)。

    Dengdeng, I want to borrow something of yours, but I'm too shy to ask.

  2. Dengdeng

    我们(wǒmen)是(shì)朋友(péngyou)，你(nǐ)开口(kāikǒu)就(jiù)行(xíng)。

    We are friends. Just ask.

  3. Liangliang

    好(hǎo)，那(nà)我(wǒ)开口(kāikǒu)了(le)：你(nǐ)的(de)相机(xiàngjī)能(néng)借(jiè)我(wǒ)吗(ma)？

    OK, I'll ask: can you lend me your camera?

  4. Dengdeng

    当然(dāngrán)可以(kěyǐ)。不过(bùguò)你(nǐ)现在(xiànzài)不是(bùshì)拿着(názhe)它(tā)吗(ma)？

    Of course. But aren't you holding it right now?

  5. Liangliang

    对(duì)，我(wǒ)是(shì)先(xiān)拿起来(náqǐlái)了(le)，才(cái)开口(kāikǒu)。

    Right. I picked it up first, and only then asked.

  6. Dengdeng

    下次(xiàcì)先(xiān)开口(kāikǒu)，再(zài)拿(ná)。

    Next time, ask first, then take it.

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

他(tā)恢(huī)复(fù)了(le)意(yì)识(shí)，还(hái)能(néng)开(kāi)口(kǒu)说(shuō)话(huà)了(le)。

He regained consciousness and was able to talk.

Tatoeba: Chinese by fercheung · English by Source_VOA · CC BY 2.0 FR. Pinyin added or corrected.

02

她(tā)一(yì)直(zhí)没(méi)开(kāi)口(kǒu)，只(zhǐ)是(shì)安(ān)静(jìng)地(de)坐(zuò)在(zài)那(nà)里(lǐ)。

She didn't say a word the whole time, just sat there quietly.

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Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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