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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to open one's mouth' with 开口 (kāikǒu)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 开口 + (Verb/Sentence)

    Explanation

    The verb 开口 (kāikǒu) literally means "to open one's mouth" and is often used to mean "to start speaking" or "to speak up." It can also refer to a physical opening or gap. Context determines whether it refers to speech or a literal opening.

    Examples

    • 他犹豫了很久才开口说出了真相。

      tā yóuyù le hěn jiǔ cái kāikǒu shuō chū le zhēnxiàng.

      He hesitated for a long time before speaking up and telling the truth.

    • 她想请他帮忙，但不好意思开口。

      tā xiǎng qǐng tā bāngmáng, dàn bù hǎoyìsi kāikǒu.

      She wanted to ask him for help but was too embarrassed to speak up.

    • 老师问了三遍，还是没有人开口回答。

      lǎoshī wèn le sān biàn, háishi méiyǒu rén kāikǒu huídá.

      The teacher asked three times, but still no one spoke up to answer.

    Expressing 'to open one's mouth' with 开口 (kāikǒu) | Chinese Grammar