和
hé · harmony / peace · HSK 1
When grain 禾 reaches every mouth 口, voices become peaceful and harmonious.
Chinese radical · Beginner guide
口 (kǒu) — the mouth radical
口 is the single most common component in the HSK 1–6 set — it shows up in 118 of InkSeal's 1,799 characters. It usually signals mouths, openings, or speaking.
口 keeps its full shape inside characters — no squeezing needed. It is 3 strokes.
Why it matters
118 of InkSeal's 1,799 HSK 1–6 characters contain this component — learn it once, recognize it everywhere.
Beginner characters with 口
Each of these HSK 1–3 characters contains 口. Tap through for the full visual mnemonic, common words, and example sentences.
吧
ba · particle (let's... / right?) · HSK 1
A little mouth 口 speaks the soft sound 巴: “Let’s go, ba.”
中
zhōng · center / middle · HSK 1
An arrow strikes right through the MIDDLE of the target.
吗
ma · Question particle (yes / no) · HSK 1
Open your mouth 口 to ask: is it a horse 马?
呢
ne · question particle (what about...? / and...?) · HSK 1
A curious person leans forward (尼) with an open mouth (口) to ask, 'What about you?'
知
zhī · to know / knowledge · HSK 1
To KNOW is to let your mouth’s words hit the truth like an arrow.
问
wèn · to ask · HSK 1
Stand at the door (门) and open your mouth (口) to ASK if anyone is home.
事
shì · matter / affair · HSK 1
To handle a matter, grip the pole of your duty and carry the important banner.
后
hòu · behind / after · HSK 1
A little face peeks from behind the screen: 后 means behind or after.
喜
xǐ · joy / happiness · HSK 1
Joy is a festival drum beating while a mouth sings underneath.
吃
chī · to eat · HSK 1
The 乞-shaped hungry diner brings a red bite to the 口 mouth: to eat.
听
tīng · to listen / to hear · HSK 1
To listen, let the square mouth of sound speak while the 斤-shaped axe leans in to hear.
More radicals to learn
扌 (hand) · 氵 (water) · 木 (wood) · 亻 (person) · 讠 (speech) — or start from the beginner's guide to all 40 radicals.
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