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顺口 (shùn kǒu) — easy to read or speak (of text or words)

Definition

Describes text, words, or a slogan that reads smoothly and rolls off the tongue. Often pairs with 拗口, its opposite, which means awkward or hard to pronounce.

adjective
easy to read or speak (of text or words)

Examples

  • 顺口。
    Zhè jù huà dú qǐ lái hěn shùn kǒu.
    This sentence reads very smoothly.
  • 顺口，。
    Zhè shǒu shī xiě dé bú tài shùn kǒu, yǒu diǎn ào kǒu.
    This poem isn't very smooth to read; it's a bit awkward.
  • 顺口，。
    Zhè ge guǎng gào cí hěn shùn kǒu, róng yì jì zhù.
    This advertising slogan is very catchy and easy to remember.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

顺shùnsuit
口kǒumouth

顺口 says that words 顺 well for the 口, flowing smoothly off the mouth.

Characters in this word

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 順; 顺 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yè
Sound part声符shēngfú
川
川chuān順shùn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 順 pairs 川 (river), which gives the sound, with 頁 (head); the picture is a head in a river, following the current. The simplified 顺 is a shorthand.

Open 顺 →

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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