zoeng1 hau2張口张口

Jyutpingzoeng1 hau2

Yalejēung háu

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To open one's mouth.

colloquialbodydaily actions

How it's used

While 張口 is understood, native speakers almost exclusively use 擘大口 in daily life to describe the physical action of opening the mouth wide. 張口 often carries a more literary or idiomatic nuance, frequently appearing in set phrases like the one describing someone who is lazy or pampered. Using it in casual conversation can sound slightly formal or dramatic.

Examples

keoi5佢jat1一zoeng1張hau2口zau6就gong2講co3錯je5嘢。

As soon as he opened his mouth, he said the wrong thing.

nei5你zou6做me1咩zoeng1張hau2口m4唔gong2講je5嘢aa4呀？

Why did you open your mouth but not say anything?

Common phrases

faan6飯loi4來zoeng1張hau2口

to be pampered and have everything provided for one

Common mistake

Do not use 張口 to mean 'to start speaking' in a natural, casual way; native speakers prefer the phrase 開口 for that purpose. Using 張口 in that context can sound like you are describing the physical mechanics of the jaw rather than the act of beginning a conversation.