mouth
mouth — 名詞
- mouthsingular
- mouthsplural
1. the part of the face that you use for eating, drinking, speaking, and breathing
嘴巴;口
臉部用於進食、說話的器官
the part of the face that you use for eating, drinking, speaking, and breathing — it includes the lips, the space behind them, the teeth, the tongue, and the area at the back of the throat where food goes down
Nellie opened her mouth wide so the dentist could check her teeth.
Nellie 張大她的嘴巴,好讓牙醫檢查她的牙齒。
collocation: open one's mouth wide
The doctor asked the child to open his mouth and say Aah.
醫生叫孩子張開嘴巴,說「啊——」。
Hari covered his mouth with both hands when he sneezed loudly.
Hari 大聲打噴嚏時用雙手摀住嘴巴。
collocation: cover one's mouth
A warm piece of bread with butter melted in her mouth.
一塊溫熱的麵包加上奶油,在她嘴裡融化了。
Always breathe through your nose and not your mouth while running.
跑步時記得用鼻子呼吸,不要用嘴巴。
pattern: breathe through one's mouth
- open your mouth
- close your mouth
- shut your mouth
- cover your mouth
- put something in your mouth
- take something out of your mouth
常見錯誤
2. the open end or entrance of something hollow or narrow — like a bottle top, the
開口;口部
容器、洞穴或河流的入口處
the open end or entrance of something hollow or narrow — like a bottle top, the opening into a cavern, or the location where a river meets the sea
The mouth of the cave was hidden behind a thick curtain of hanging vines.
洞穴的入口被一層厚厚的藤蔓簾幕遮住了。
collocation: mouth of the cave
Tuan carefully poured water into the mouth of the narrow glass bottle.
Tuan 小心地將水倒入窄玻璃瓶的瓶口。
collocation: mouth of the bottle / container
The Mississippi River has a very wide mouth where it meets the Gulf of Mexico.
密西西比河的河口非常寬闊,匯入墨西哥灣。
collocation: mouth of the river
Paloma could see sunlight at the mouth of the tunnel up ahead.
Paloma 可以看到前方隧道口處有陽光。
The bag had a small tear near its mouth, so rice kept spilling out.
袋子的開口附近有一個小裂縫,所以米一直灑出來。
- mouth of the cave
- mouth of the river
- mouth of the bottle
- mouth of the tunnel
- mouth of the jar
用法筆記
Nearly always follows 'the mouth of [something]' — the noun that names the container, cave, tunnel, or river comes after 'of'. Frequently used in geographic descriptions (river mouths) and container references (bottle mouths).
3. any person in a group that you must provide with food, especially when talking a
需要養活的人
需要被供給食物的人
any person in a group that you must provide with food, especially when talking about how many dependents you are responsible for supporting
With five hungry mouths to feed, the family had to budget very carefully.
家裡有五張嗷嗷待哺的嘴要養,一家人不得不仔細規劃預算。
fixed phrase: mouths to feed
Jabari took extra shifts because he has three more mouths to feed now.
Jabari 接下更多加班,因為他現在多了三張嘴要養。
The charity helped poor families who had many mouths to feed and little income.
這家慈善機構幫助那些人口眾多但收入微薄的家庭。
Every extra mouth at the dinner table meant less food for everyone else.
餐桌旁每多一張嘴,就代表其他人分到的食物更少了。
collocation: extra mouth at the table
The village counted over two hundred mouths to feed after the storm destroyed their crops.
暴風雨摧毀農作物後,全村統計共有兩百多張嘴要養。
- mouths to feed
- hungry mouths
- extra mouth
- another mouth
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'mouth(s) to feed' — rarely appears outside this expression. The focus is on the cost or burden of providing food, not on the person as an individual.
someone who talks a lot about what they plan to do but never actually does it; full of empty boasts
只說不做
Christopher talks about starting his own company every week, but he never does — he is all mouth and no trousers.
The politician promised huge changes during the campaign, but after the election he did nothing. Just all mouth and no trousers.
born into a very wealthy family that gives every advantage in life from the start
含著金湯匙出生
Yael never had to worry about money; she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
People often assume that any child at that private school was born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
someone looks completely innocent and good-natured, but the expression is usually used when the person is actually sly or mischievous
裝出一副無辜的樣子
She looked at her mother with big eyes, as if butter would not melt in her mouth, right after she had broken the lamp.
Hui smiled sweetly at the teacher — butter would not melt in his mouth — though everyone knew he had started the fight.
by word of mouth
idiomby being told directly by another person, rather than through advertising, writing, or the internet
口耳相傳
News of the bakery spread by word of mouth, and soon customers lined up around the block.
The best restaurants in the old town are known only by word of mouth.
foam at the mouth
idiomto be extremely angry, furious, or agitated about something
暴跳如雷
Karim was foaming at the mouth when he found out someone had scratched his new car.
Fans were foaming at the mouth after the referee made a terrible call in the final minute.
to not say anything about a secret or a sensitive topic; to stay quiet when speaking could cause trouble
閉嘴;守口如瓶
Anya knew the surprise party plan and kept her mouth shut all week.
If Tyler had kept his mouth shut during the meeting, no one would have known about the error.
to create an unpleasant or negative feeling after an experience, especially one that seems unfair or dishonest
留下不好的印象
The way the manager treated his staff left a bad taste in everyone's mouth.
Hearing those rude comments at dinner left a bad taste in Paloma's mouth for the rest of the night.
to cause someone to feel a strong desire to eat something because it looks, smells, or sounds delicious
令人垂涎
The smell of grilled meat coming from the restaurant made Nellie's mouth water.
Just looking at the photos of chocolate cake in the magazine made Tuan's mouth water.
melt in one's mouth
idiomfood that is so soft, tender, or delicate that it seems to dissolve without needing to be chewed
入口即化
The steak was cooked so perfectly that it simply melted in her mouth.
These little chocolate cakes almost melt in your mouth — they are incredibly soft.
open one's mouth
idiomto start speaking, especially when there is something difficult or risky to say
開口說話
Every time Hari opens his mouth at family dinners, he says something that upsets someone.
Folake wanted to defend herself but was too afraid to open her mouth in front of the judge.
to accidentally say something embarrassing, offensive, or tactless that you immediately regret
說錯話
Christopher really put his foot in his mouth when he asked a woman when her baby was due — she was not pregnant.
I put my foot in my mouth by telling the host that I hated the dish she had just served.
to claim or suggest that someone said something that they did not actually say; to misrepresent what another person has said
曲解某人的話
Stop putting words into my mouth — I never said I wanted to quit my job.
The reporter was accused of putting words into the witness's mouth during the interview.
run one's mouth
idiomto talk too much, often in a careless way or about things that should remain private
胡扯;多嘴
Hui tends to run his mouth when he is nervous, telling everyone far too many personal details.
Stop running your mouth about the surprise party, or it will not be a secret anymore.
to speak loudly, recklessly, or boastfully, especially about things one does not know much about or should keep secret
胡亂吹噓
The rookie player shot his mouth off about winning the match, then lost badly.
I wish Jabari would stop shooting his mouth off about our plans before they are confirmed.
shut one's mouth
idiomto stop talking, especially when someone rudely or annoyingly keeps speaking
閉嘴;住口
Tyler told the loud talker at the cinema to shut his mouth during the film.
Folake wished her little brother would shut his mouth and stop repeating everything she said.
to say exactly what someone else was about to say, as if you read their thoughts
說出某人想說的話
You took the words right out of my mouth — I was just about to suggest the same idea.
When Karim mentioned the need for a new computer system, the boss said he had taken the words out of his mouth.
watch one's mouth
idiomto be careful about what you say, especially to avoid rude, offensive, or insensitive language
說話小心
You had better watch your mouth around Grandma — she does not like bad language.
The coach told the players to watch their mouths during the press interview.
be all mouth
idiomSomeone who talks a lot about doing something but never actually does it because they lack courage.
只說不做
Diego said he would fight, but he's all mouth.
Don't listen to her threats; she's all mouth.
Born into a wealthy family with many advantages.
含著金湯匙出生
Maya was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
He never had to work hard; he was born with a silver spoon.
Someone appears innocent and kind but is actually not.
裝出一副無辜的樣子
She looks like butter wouldn't melt, but she's tricky.
Brian acts innocent, but butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
down in the mouth
idiomFeeling sad or depressed.
垂頭喪氣
After losing the game, Tom was down in the mouth.
Why are you so down in the mouth today?
Information that comes directly from the person involved, so it is reliable.
從可靠來源直接得知
I heard it straight from the horse's mouth.
The news came from the horse's mouth, so it's true.
have a big mouth
idiomUnable to keep secrets; often says things that should not be said.
大嘴巴
Don't tell Sara; she has a big mouth.
He has a big mouth and told everyone the surprise.
Feeling very nervous or frightened about something.
心提到嗓子眼
My heart was in my mouth as I waited for the results.
Her heart was in her mouth when she saw the snake.
keep your mouth shut
idiomTo not say anything about a secret or something that could cause trouble.
閉嘴;守口如瓶
You should keep your mouth shut about the plan.
I told him to keep his mouth shut, but he talked.
To make someone feel upset or ashamed after an experience.
留下不好的印象
The argument left a bad taste in my mouth.
That dishonest deal left a nasty taste in everyone's mouth.
To spend all the money you earn on basic needs like food, with nothing left to save.
勉強糊口
Many families live hand to mouth in this city.
After losing his job, he lived from hand to mouth.
To criticize or refuse something that is given to you for free.
對禮物吹毛求疵
When offered free tickets, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
He complained about the gift, but you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
me and my big mouth
idiomUsed when you realize you have said something you should not have said.
都怪我多嘴
Me and my big mouth! I told her about the party.
I mentioned the surprise. Me and my big mouth!
melt in your mouth
idiomFood that is very soft and delicious to eat.
入口即化
This chocolate cake melts in your mouth.
The steak was so tender it melted in my mouth.
Used when a young child says something surprisingly wise or clever.
童言無忌;小孩說出智慧話
Out of the mouths of babes, my daughter solved the puzzle.
The little boy said, 'Sharing is caring.' Out of the mouths of babes!
To say something that upsets or embarrasses someone by accident.
說錯話;失言
I put my foot in my mouth when I asked about her job.
He put his foot in his mouth by mentioning the divorce.
To show by your actions that you really mean what you say, especially by spending money.
用行動證明;拿出錢來
If you believe in the project, put your money where your mouth is.
He talks about charity, but he won't put his money where his mouth is.
To claim that someone said something when they did not actually say it.
曲解某人的話;硬說某人說過
Don't put words into my mouth; I never said that.
The reporter put words into the politician's mouth.
run off at the mouth
idiomTo talk too much, often without thinking or saying sensible things.
喋喋不休;胡說八道
He runs off at the mouth during meetings.
Stop running off at the mouth and listen for once.
To talk about something in a way that shows too much pride or reveals too much.
吹噓;亂說
He shot his mouth off about his new car.
Don't shoot your mouth off about the secret plan.
A rude way to tell someone to stop talking.
閉嘴!
Shut your mouth! I've heard enough.
He told the noisy kid to shut his face.
To take away someone's job or income so they cannot afford basic needs.
搶走某人的生計
The new worker took the bread out of my mouth.
Automation took the bread out of many factory workers' mouths.
To say exactly what someone else was about to say.
說出某人想說的話
You took the words right out of my mouth!
When she suggested pizza, he said she took the words right out of his mouth.
To be careful about what you say to avoid offending or angering someone.
說話小心;注意言辭
You'd better watch your mouth around the boss.
Watch your tongue; you don't want to upset her.
mouth — 動詞
- mouthpresent simple I / you / we / they
- mouths3rd person singular
- mouthing-ing form
- mouthedpast simple
1. to move your lips to form words so that someone can see what you are saying, but
無聲地說
只動嘴唇而不發出聲音
to move your lips to form words so that someone can see what you are saying, but no sound comes out — often used in quiet places where speaking aloud is not allowed, or when practising what you plan to say later
Nellie mouthed 'thank you' to the driver as the bus pulled away.
Nellie 對著司機無聲地說「謝謝你」,公車正好駛離。
mouth + direct speech / quoted words
From across the library, Yael mouthed the words 'are you okay' and Tuan nodded quietly.
Yael 從圖書館的另一頭無聲地用嘴型問「你還好嗎」,Tuan 靜靜地點了點頭。
The singer stood backstage and mouthed along to her own recording.
那位歌手站在舞台後面,對著自己的錄音對嘴。
collocation: mouth along to something
During the exam, a teacher caught a student mouthing answers to a friend.
考試期間,老師抓到一名學生隔著教室對朋友無聲地傳答案。
Hari mouthed the song lyrics under his breath during the quiet part of the concert.
演唱會進行到比較安靜的部分時,Hari 低聲地跟著歌詞對嘴。
pattern: mouth + lyrics / words under one's breath
- mouth the words
- mouth 'thank you'
- mouth along to
- mouth the lyrics
- whisper
uses breath and produces some sound, unlike mouthing which is completely silent
文法句型
mouth + words / speech
用法筆記
The thing being said is usually given as quoted speech or a noun phrase immediately after 'mouth'. The object can be simple ('thank you', 'sorry') or a complete sentence. Often used in quiet settings where speaking aloud would be noticed.
常見錯誤
2. to say the words of a statement or opinion without meaning them or understanding
言不由衷地說
說出正確的話語但並非真心
to say the words of a statement or opinion without meaning them or understanding them — just repeating the correct phrases without true commitment
The politician mouthed the usual promises about lower taxes, but no one believed him.
那位政治人物照本宣科地說著關於降低稅收的老套承諾,但沒有人相信他。
mouth + empty promises / phrases
Folake mouthed the company mission statement during training, though she disagreed with half of it.
Folake 在培訓時照著公司使命宣言唸了一遍,儘管她並不認同其中一半的內容。
Students in the back row just mouthed the answers without actually studying the material.
後排的學生只是照著唸出答案,根本沒有真正讀過教材。
Christopher mouthed apologies to everyone he had offended, but his eyes showed no regret.
Christopher 向他冒犯過的每個人道了歉,但眼神裡看不出任何悔意。
The witness mouthed the words the lawyer had told her to say, without understanding their meaning.
證人照著律師教她說的話複誦了一遍,卻不明白那些話的意思。
pattern: mouth the words someone told you to say
- mouth promises
- mouth apologies
- mouth the words
- mouth slogans
- mouth the party line
文法句型
mouth + words / phrases
用法筆記
This sense carries a critical or dismissive tone — the speaker is saying the right words but does not believe in them. The object is typically something formulaic: promises, slogans, mission statements, apologies, or other set phrases. Not used for spontaneous speech.
常見錯誤
同根字
- mouthful名詞B2
- mouthy形容詞C1
- open-mouthed形容詞C1
- loud-mouthed形容詞C1
- mouth-watering形容詞B2
常見搭配
名詞搭配
- corner of the mouth
- roof of the mouth
- back of the mouth
- side of the mouth
- mouth area
副詞搭配
- wide (open one's mouth wide)
- tightly (shut one's mouth tightly)
- carefully (speak carefully — watch one's mouth)
常用片語
- mouth wide open
- mouth full of food
- mouth shut
- by word of mouth
- mouth to feed
介系詞搭配
- out of (take something out of one's mouth)
- in / into (put something in one's mouth)
- with (with one's mouth full / open)
- through (breathe through one's mouth)
- by (by word of mouth)