ε£
JLPT N4
Mouth
Readings
Onβyomi: γ³γ¦, γ― (kou, ku)
Kunβyomi: γγ‘ (kuchi)
β’ γγ‘ (kuchi) β mouth, opening
Structure
Composition:
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Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
ε£
γγ‘
mouth
δΊΊε£
γγγγ
population
ε
₯ε£
γγγγ‘
entrance
εΊε£
γ§γγ‘
exit
ζͺε£
γγγγ‘
badmouth
Example Sentences
ε£γιγγ¦γγ γγγ
γγ‘ γ γγγ¦ γγ γγγ
Please open your mouth.
ε
₯ε£γ―γγ‘γγ§γγ
γγγγ‘ γ― γγ‘γ γ§γγ
The entrance is here.
Cultural Note
π In Japanese culture, ε£ carries both literal and metaphorical meaning:
β’ Literal: mouth for eating, speaking β central in social manners (e.g., covering your mouth when yawning).
β’ Metaphorical: entrance, exit, or opening (e.g., ε ₯ε£ / εΊε£ signs in public spaces).
β’ It also appears in idioms:
o ε£γιγγ (γγ‘ γ γ¨γγ) β βkeep quietβ
o ε£γδΈζγ (γγ‘ γ γγγγγ) β βgood at talking / persuasive.β
β’ The simplicity of ε£ makes it one of the first kanji taught to children.
β’ Literal: mouth for eating, speaking β central in social manners (e.g., covering your mouth when yawning).
β’ Metaphorical: entrance, exit, or opening (e.g., ε ₯ε£ / εΊε£ signs in public spaces).
β’ It also appears in idioms:
o ε£γιγγ (γγ‘ γ γ¨γγ) β βkeep quietβ
o ε£γδΈζγ (γγ‘ γ γγγγγ) β βgood at talking / persuasive.β
β’ The simplicity of ε£ makes it one of the first kanji taught to children.