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上口 (shàng kǒu) — smooth and easy to pronounce (of words or phrases); fluent and catchy when read aloud

Definition

Describes words or phrases that read smoothly and fluently aloud — easy to say and catchy. Often used for lyrics, dialogue, and tongue-twisters.

adjective
smooth and easy to pronounce (of words or phrases)fluent and catchy when read aloud

Examples

  • 上口。
    Zhè shǒu shī dú qǐ lái hěn shàng kǒu.
    This poem reads very smoothly.
  • 上口，。
    Zhè xiē gē cí xiě dé fēi cháng shàng kǒu, wǒ yì tīng jiù jì zhù le.
    These lyrics are written very catchily; I remembered them after one listen.
  • 上口，。
    Zhè duàn rào kǒu lìng bú shàng kǒu, wǒ niàn le hǎo jǐ cì dōu méi niàn duì.
    This tongue twister isn't smooth; I've recited it several times and still haven't gotten it right.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

上shàngto go into
口kǒumouth

上口 suggests 上 ('going into') with 口 ('mouth'), so words flow easily in speech.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The form 口 looks like an open mouth.

Open 口 →
Appears in
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