Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
口吃 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
口吃kǒuchīto stammerHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #25755, Very Hard
口吃kǒuchīto stutterHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #25755, Very Hard
口吃kǒuchīalso pr. [kou3 ji2]HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #25755, Very Hard
kǒuchī(kou3chi1)kou chi T3
  1. 1to stammer
  2. 2to stutter
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

口吃kǒuchī(kou3chi1)

口吃 refers to the speech disorder characterized by involuntary disruptions in the flow of speech, often manifesting as stammering or stuttering. It is commonly used in both casual and medical contexts when discussing speech difficulties.

Strokes9Frequency#25755DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, discussing speech disorders like 口吃 can carry a stigma, so it's often approached with care. Speech therapy is gaining recognition, and understanding this term may help in conversations about education and support for affected individuals.

Memory tip

Think of '口' (mouth) and '吃' (to eat). Imagine someone trying to eat their words because they can't speak fluently, which vividly connects the characters to the act of stammering.

Meanings of 口吃

kǒuchī(kou3chi1)
1to stammer
2to stutter
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 口吃 means.

About 口吃

口吃Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 口吃

JasonAmy

Podcast: 口吃

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 口吃

Quick Contrast

口吃 (stutter) vs 说话不流利 (speak haltingly) — use 口吃 when referring specifically to the disorder itself, while 说话不流利 describes a general lack of fluency.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone of '吃' (chi1) as it can change the meaning if mispronounced. This term is generally informal and should be used sensitively, particularly when discussing someone's speech difficulties. Common collocations include '口吃的孩子' (a child who stutters).

HSK Study Tips

Although 口吃 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it can be useful for learners at HSK 4 and above when discussing health or personal experiences. Focus on pronunciation and common phrases related to speech disorders to enhance understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 口吃 with 说话不流利 (not speaking fluently), which is broader and can include hesitation without stuttering. Instead, remember that 口吃 specifically refers to stammering or stuttering.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 口吃

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 口吃 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 口吃 to you

Let me explain 口吃 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 口吃 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 口吃?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 口吃 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

口kǒumouth
HSK 13 strokes口
View full entry
吃chīto eat
HSK 16 strokes口
View full entry

How to say to stammer in Chinese

“to stammer” in Chinese is口吃kǒuchī

口吃 refers to the speech disorder characterized by involuntary disruptions in the flow of speech, often manifesting as stammering or stuttering. It is commonly used in both casual and medical contexts when discussing speech difficulties.

When to use 口吃

Be cautious with the tone of '吃' (chi1) as it can change the meaning if mispronounced. This term is generally informal and should be used sensitively, particularly when discussing someone's speech difficulties. Common collocations include '口吃的孩子' (a child who stutters).

口吃 or something close to it

口吃 (stutter) vs 说话不流利 (speak haltingly) — use 口吃 when referring specifically to the disorder itself, while 说话不流利 describes a general lack of fluency.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 口吃 with 说话不流利 (not speaking fluently), which is broader and can include hesitation without stuttering. Instead, remember that 口吃 specifically refers to stammering or stuttering.

Write 口吃

口
吃

Practice writing 口吃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 口吃?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 口吃

口吃 and 结巴 both refer to stuttering, but 结巴 is a more colloquial term often used in everyday conversations.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 口吃?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab