交头接耳

交頭接耳

jiāotóu-jiē'ěr

idiom HSK 7-9 #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 shàngjiāo tóu jiē ěr.

Two classmates were whispering to each other in class.

他们交头接耳地讨论着什么。

Tāmen jiāotóujiē'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