4
口にする

To Mention


Meaning

To Mention, To Say, To Eat, To Drink

Word Type

transitive verb, expression

Explanation

You've already learned that 口 means "mouth" and here it's followed by the particle に, which pinpoints a location. The verb する means "to do" so you're doing something to your mouth! Logically enough, this expression is used to describe lots of actions that you do with your mouth. It's often used to mean to mention or to say, but with an added descriptive nuance that you've said something accidentally or unexpectedly, maybe something you shouldn't have said! 🙊 It can also mean other things done with the mouth, like to eat and to drink!


Reading

くちにする

Explanation

In this expression, 口 is a standalone vocabulary word, so it uses the same reading that you learned when you learned the vocabulary.


Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • おそるおそる口にする

    to eat cautiously, to say cautiously

    うっかり口にする

    to say carelessly, to eat accidentally

    はじめて口にする

    to eat for the first time, to say for the first time

  • 玉ねぎを口にする

    to take a bite of the onion

    ウイスキーを口にする

    to sip whiskey

    名まえを口にする

    to mention a name

Context Sentences

女王は、よく「そうね」と口にする。

The queen often says, "you're right."

その名は口にするな。

Don't say that name.

ウィスキーを口にしたら、よっぱらってしまった。

I got drunk off a little whisky.


Kanji Composition