====== kěkǒu: 可口 - Delicious, Tasty, Palatable ======
===== Quick Summary =====
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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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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