交头接耳

交頭接耳

jiāotóu-jiē'ěr

idiom HSK 7 #35,095

Meanings

1 to whisper to each other; to put heads together and whisper

Characters

to exchange; to cross

to connect; to touch

Literally 'heads crossing, ears touching' — a vivid image of two people leaning close to whisper secretly.

Examples

两个同学在课堂上交头接耳。

Liǎng ge tóngxué zài kètáng shàng jiāotóu-jiē'ěr.

Two classmates were whispering to each other in class.

他们交头接耳地讨论着什么。

Tāmen jiāotóu-jiē'ěr de tǎolùn zhe shénme.

They were whispering about something.

Tips

usage

This idiom usually implies secretive or inappropriate whispering — not a friendly chat. Teachers scold students for 交头接耳 in class. It carries a slightly negative connotation of gossip or conspiracy.

Stroke Order

交 jiāo

头 tóu

接 jiē

耳 ěr