kěkǒu: 可口 - Delicious, Tasty, Palatable

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• Summary: Learn how to say “delicious” in Chinese with 可口 (kěkǒu). This page explores the meaning of `kěkǒu`, a versatile adjective for tasty food and drinks. We'll break down the characters, compare `kěkǒu` vs. the more common `hǎochī`, and show you how it's famously used in the brand name for Coca-Cola, 可口可乐 (kěkǒu kělè). This is an essential piece of Chinese food vocabulary for any learner wanting to describe food more elegantly.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kěkǒu
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Pleasing to the taste; delicious, savory, or palatable.
• In a Nutshell: `可口` literally translates to “can mouth” or “suitable for the mouth.” It's a slightly more formal and descriptive way to say something is delicious compared to the everyday word `好吃 (hǎochī)`. While `好吃` is for food and `好喝 (hǎohē)` is for drinks, `可口` can be used for both, making it a versatile and useful adjective. You'll often see it in writing, on menus, and in advertisements.

• 可 (kě): This character means “can,” “able to,” or “worthy of.” It implies suitability or approval. Think of it as giving a “stamp of approval.”
• 口 (kǒu): This character is a simple pictogram of a “mouth.”
• Together, 可口 (kěkǒu) creates a very logical meaning: “worthy of the mouth” or “able-to-be-mouthed,” which naturally means something is tasty, palatable, and pleasant to eat or drink.

The most significant cultural footprint of `可口` in modern China is undoubtedly its use in the brand name 可口可乐 (kěkǒu kělè) - Coca-Cola. This is widely considered one of the most brilliant brand translations in marketing history. Not only does `可口可乐` sound phonetically similar to “Coca-Cola,” but its meaning is “Delicious and Fun/Joyful.” The choice of `可口` perfectly positions the drink as tasty and pleasing. In a broader sense, `可口` is part of China's rich culinary culture. While Western culture might distinguish between “tasty,” “delicious,” “delectable,” and “palatable,” Chinese has its own spectrum. `可口` occupies a space similar to “delicious” or “palatable” in English. It