口 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

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口

口 means “mouth” or “opening” in Japanese. Its square shape represents an open mouth.

Reading

On’yomi: コウ (kou), ク (ku)

Kun’yomi: くち (kuchi)

Basic Information

Kanji 口
Meaning mouth, opening
Stroke Count 3
JLPT Level N5

How to Understand This Kanji

口 can mean the physical mouth, an entrance, an exit, an opening, or a service counter. It is also an important component in kanji related to speech, sound, and eating.

Common Words

  • 口（くち / kuchi） — mouth
  • 入口（いりぐち / iriguchi） — entrance
  • 出口（でぐち / deguchi） — exit
  • 人口（じんこう / jinkō） — population
  • 窓口（まどぐち / madoguchi） — service counter, window
  • 口座（こうざ / kōza） — bank account

Example Sentences

  • 駅の出口はどこですか？

    えきのでぐちはどこですか？ / Eki no deguchi wa doko desu ka?

    Where is the station exit?

  • 入口で友達を待っています。

    いりぐちでともだちをまっています。 / Iriguchi de tomodachi o matte imasu.

    I am waiting for my friend at the entrance.

  • 東京の人口はとても多いです。

    とうきょうのじんこうはとてもおおいです。 / Tōkyō no jinkō wa totemo ōi desu.

    Tokyo’s population is very large.

Related Kanji

  • 目

    — Mouth and eye are both facial features.

  • 人

    — 人口 combines 人 and 口 to mean population.

  • 音

    — Sound and mouth are closely connected through speech and pronunciation.

When Learners Usually See This Kanji

The standalone reading is くち. The readings こう and く appear in compounds such as 入口, 出口, 人口, and 口座. 入口 and 出口 are especially useful because they appear on signs everywhere in Japan.

Summary

口 means mouth or opening and is essential for navigation words like entrance and exit.