expression, ichidan verb
talk to; call out to; invite
Used when initiating conversation, calling out to someone, or inviting them to do something together. Often implies a casual or friendly approach.
彼は道で友達に口を掛けた。
He called out to his friend on the street.
飲み会に彼女も口を
Let's invite her to the drinking party too.
expression, ichidan verb
call a geisha or prostitute over
Specific to the pleasure quarters; used when summoning a geisha or sex worker. Rare in modern everyday conversation.
昔の遊郭では、客が好みの遊女に口を掛けた。
In the old pleasure quarters, customers would call over the courtesan they fancied.