kǒuzhào: 口罩 - Face Mask
Quick Summary
Keywords: kǒuzhào, kouzhao, 口罩, Chinese face mask, wear a mask in Chinese, N95 in Chinese, China mask culture, air pollution mask China, COVID-19 mask, medical mask Chinese, surgical mask Chinese.
Summary: 口罩 (kǒuzhào) is the Chinese word for “face mask.” A common sight in China long before the global pandemic, face masks are used for a variety of reasons, from protecting against air pollution and germs to being a fashion accessory. Understanding the use of 口罩 provides insight into modern Chinese public health awareness, social etiquette, and urban life.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): kǒuzhào
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 3
Concise Definition: A protective covering worn over the mouth and nose.
In a Nutshell: 口罩 (kǒuzhào) literally translates to “mouth cover.” It's a purely functional term for the object we know as a face mask. While its use became global during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been an everyday item in many parts of Asia for years, primarily used as a personal shield against urban air pollution and as a common courtesy to wear when one is sick.
Character Breakdown
口 (kǒu): This character is a pictogram of an open mouth. It is one of the most basic and common characters, meaning “mouth,” “opening,” or “entrance.”
罩 (zhào): This character means “to cover,” “a cover,” or “a shade.” It's composed of 网 (wǎng) on top, meaning “net,” and 卓 (zhuō) below. Imagine a net-like object covering something from above.
Together, 口 (kǒu) + 罩 (zhào) form a very logical and descriptive word: a “mouth cover.”
Cultural Context and Significance
In many Western countries, prior to 2020, wearing a face mask in public was uncommon and often associated with being seriously ill or even seen as suspicious. In China and much of East Asia, however, wearing a 口罩 (kǒuzhào) has long been a normalized and socially accepted practice.
This difference highlights a key cultural value: collectivism over individualism. Wearing a mask when you have a simple cold is not just about protecting yourself, but is seen as a basic social responsibility to protect others from your germs. This contrasts with a more individualistic perspective where the focus might be on one's personal discomfort or freedom not to wear one.
Beyond public health, masks became a necessity in major Chinese cities due to 空气污染 (kōngqì wūrǎn) - air pollution. During days with high AQI (Air Quality Index), streets would be filled with people wearing masks to filter out harmful particulates. This has made the 口罩 a symbol of modern urban life and its environmental challenges. More recently, it has also been adopted by some young people as a fashion statement or a way to have a bit of privacy in crowded public spaces.
Practical Usage in Modern China
The term 口罩 (kǒuzhào) is used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal public health announcements. The most important associated verb is 戴 (dài) - to wear (accessories).
Daily Conversation: You'll frequently hear people say “今天别忘了戴口罩 (jīntiān bié wàngle dài kǒuzhào)” - “Don't forget to wear a mask today.”
Types of Masks: Specific types are often mentioned:
医用口罩 (yīyòng kǒuzhào): Medical/Surgical mask
N95口罩 (N jiǔwǔ kǒuzhào): N95 mask
一次性口罩 (yīcìxìng kǒuzhào): Disposable mask
Formal Settings: On public transport or in building entrances, you will see signs that say “请佩戴口罩 (qǐng pèidài kǒuzhào)” - “Please wear a mask.” Here, 佩戴 (pèidài) is a more formal verb for “to wear.”
The connotation of 口罩 is overwhelmingly neutral and practical. It's an object of daily life, like an umbrella or a pair of gloves.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
冬天流感多发，出门最好戴上口罩。
Pinyin: Dōngtiān liúgǎn duōfā, chūmén zuìhǎo dài shàng kǒuzhào.
English: The flu is common in winter, it's best to wear a face mask when you go out.
Analysis: A common piece of advice. Note the verb 戴 (dài) used for wearing a mask. “戴上 (dài shàng)” indicates the action of putting it on.
Example 2:
对不起，我忘了戴口罩，我能进去吗？
Pinyin: Duìbùqǐ, wǒ wàngle dài kǒuzhào, wǒ néng jìnqù ma?
English: Sorry, I forgot to wear a mask, can I come in?
Analysis: A practical sentence you might have used frequently during the pandemic.
Example 3:
这种N95口罩的防护效果更好。
Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng N jiǔwǔ kǒuzhào de fánghù xiàoguǒ gèng hǎo.
English: This kind of N95 mask has a better protective effect.
Analysis: Shows how to specify the type of mask. 防护效果 (fánghù xiàoguǒ) means “protective effect.”
Example 4:
因为空气污染很严重，许多人出门都戴着口罩。
Pinyin: Yīnwèi kōngqì wūrǎn hěn yánzhòng, xǔduō rén chūmén dōu dàizhe kǒuzhào.
English: Because the air pollution is very serious, many people wear masks when they go out.
Analysis: This sentence highlights the key reason for mask-wearing in China before 2020.
Example 5:
你可以在药店买到一次性的医用口罩。
Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ zài yàodiàn mǎi dào yīcìxìng de yīyòng kǒuzhào.
English: You can buy disposable medical masks at the pharmacy.
Analysis: A useful sentence for travelers. 药店 (yàodiàn) is “pharmacy.”
Example 6:
进入室内，你可以把口罩摘下来了。
Pinyin: Jìnrù shìnèi, nǐ kěyǐ bǎ kǒuzhào zhāi xiàlái le.
English: Now that we're indoors, you can take off your mask.
Analysis: 摘 (zhāi) is the verb “to take off” (for accessories like masks, glasses, etc.). It's the opposite of 戴 (dài).
Example 7:
公共交通上要求乘客佩戴口罩。
Pinyin: Gōnggòng jiāotōng shàng yāoqiú chéngkè pèidài kǒuzhào.
English: On public transportation, passengers are required to wear face masks.
Analysis: This uses the formal verb 佩戴 (pèidài), which you would see on official signs and announcements.
Example 8:
我觉得这个黑色的口罩很酷，像个明星。
Pinyin: Wǒ juédé zhège hēisè de kǒuzhào hěn kù, xiàng ge míngxiīng.
English: I think this black mask is very cool, like a celebrity.
Analysis: This example shows the use of masks as a fashion or style accessory, particularly among younger people.
Example 9:
疫情期间，口罩成了必需品，到处都卖光了。
Pinyin: Yìqíng qíjiān, kǒuzhào chéngle bìxūpǐn, dàochù dōu mài guāng le.
English: During the pandemic, masks became a necessity and were sold out everywhere.
Analysis: 必需品 (bìxūpǐn) means “necessity.” 卖光了 (mài guāng le) is a resultative complement meaning “sold out.”
Example 10:
虽然戴口罩有点闷，但是为了健康还是值得的。
Pinyin: Suīrán dài kǒuzhào yǒudiǎn mēn, dànshì wèile jiànkāng háishì zhídé de.
English: Although wearing a mask is a bit stuffy, it's still worth it for your health.
Analysis: 闷 (mēn) is a great word here, meaning “stuffy” or “unventilated,” perfectly describing the feeling of wearing a mask.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The most common mistake English speakers make is choosing the wrong verb for “to wear.”
In English, we use “wear” for everything: clothes, glasses, hats, perfume, and masks. In Chinese, verbs are more specific.
穿 (chuān): Use for clothing that covers the torso and limbs (shirts, pants, coats, shoes, socks).
戴 (dài): Use for accessories (hats, glasses, gloves, scarves, jewelry, and masks).
Therefore, never say “我穿口罩 (wǒ chuān kǒuzhào).” This sounds as strange as saying “I wear pants on my face” in English.
Also, remember the formal verb 佩戴 (pèidài). While you can use 戴 (dài) in almost any situation, using 佩戴 (pèidài) in casual conversation would sound overly formal and stiff. Stick to 戴 (dài) when speaking.
戴 (dài) - The essential verb meaning “to wear” for accessories, including masks.
空气污染 (kōngqì wūrǎn) - Air pollution; a primary reason for widespread mask use in China.
病毒 (bìngdú) - Virus; wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of viruses.
预防 (yùfáng) - To prevent; to take precautions against. Masks are a tool for 预防.
感冒 (gǎnmào) - To have a cold/flu. It's polite to wear a mask when you have a 感冒.
健康 (jiànkāng) - Health; healthy. The ultimate goal of wearing a mask is to protect one's 健康.
防护 (fánghù) - Protection; to protect. A mask provides 防护.
一次性 (yīcìxìng) - Disposable; single-use. Many common masks are 一次性.
消毒 (xiāodú) - To disinfect; to sterilize. Related to general hygiene practices alongside mask-wearing.
摘 (zhāi) - To take off (an accessory). The opposite action of 戴 (dài).