mouth; entrance, gate, opening
empty, 曰 is flat with one inner line, 日 is taller with one inner line, 目 has two inner lines
3 strokes · Radical: 口口 vs 曰 vs 日 vs 目: How to Tell Them Apart
CHARACTERS AT A GLANCE
口empty, 曰 is flat with one inner line, 日 is taller with one inner line, 目 has two inner lines · kǒu · mouth; entrance, gate, opening
曰flat with one inner line, 日 is taller with one inner line, 目 has two inner lines · yuē · to speak; to say
日taller with one inner line, 目 has two inner lines · rì · sun; day; daytime
目two inner lines · mù · eye; to look, to see; division, topic
01 · SEE THE DIFFERENCE
What changes inside the shared outline?
Dark red marks the deciding detail
Play each character and compare the highlighted details.
Why the difference is easy to miss
口 and 曰 and 日 and 目 share an outline that is easy to read too quickly.
Use both proportions and inside strokes: 口 is empty, 曰 is flat with one inner line, 日 is taller with one inner line, 目 has two inner lines. At a glance, that shared shape can make the internal horizontals plus aspect ratio easy to overlook.
Check the shape first, then confirm with the word.
If the surrounding word/meaning conflicts with the character you first recognized, re-check box proportion inner strokes.
Choose the right character.
Which character in 口 / 曰 / 日 / 目 matches “mouth”?
Choose one answer.Which character completes 子□?
Choose one answer.Which character matches “sun”?
Choose one answer.How do I tell 口 vs 曰 vs 日 vs 目 apart?
Use both proportions and inside strokes: 口 is empty, 曰 is flat with one inner line, 日 is taller with one inner line, 目 has two inner lines. Then confirm with meaning/context: 口 (kǒu) — mouth | 曰 (yuē) — say | 日 (rì) — sun | 目 (mù) — eye.
What should I check when these characters appear in words?
Use meaning as the second route after visual discrimination: 口 = mouth; 曰 = say; 日 = sun; 目 = eye. If the surrounding word/meaning conflicts with the character you first recognized, re-check box proportion inner strokes.