口

kou

mouth

when used as part of another character it describes an action, like eat, speak, cry

哭

ku

cry, weep

shout (xuan) + dog (quan)

a dog cries and weeps when left alone

乞

qi

吃

chi

eat

mouth (kou) + beg (qi)

the mouth is begging for something to eat

ㄎ

kao

skillful

an artisan making something with skill or with

号

hao

number, name

mouth (kou) + skillful (kao)

it takes much skill to remember one's name or number so you can call him out 

斤

jin

听

ting

hear, listen (to)

mouth (kou) + ax (jin)

taking an ax to someone's mouth is a harsh way of saying one must listen carefully

丩

jiu

entangle

the shape of a vine curling itself around and up a tree trunk

叫

jiao

call

mouth (kou) + entangle (jiu)

to call someone is to use mouth to make a sound  

心

xin

八

ba

eight

blessing coming down from the sky

总

zong

assemble, gather

hearts always gathered to ask for the blessings of God 

耳

er

聪

cong

sharp-witted, acute; quick at hearing

ear (er) + gather/always (zong)

it is always good to be quick at hearing