嘴里 (zuǐ lǐ) — in the mouth

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

嘴 pairs 口 (mouth) with 觜, which supplies its sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 裡; 里 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 里 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (里, 里面) it is 裡; in others (公里) it is 里 or 裏.

The form 裡 pairs 衤 (clothes) with 里 as a sound component.