改口

gǎikǒu

verb #26,815

Meanings

1 to change one's tune
2 to take back what one said
3 to change the way one addresses someone

Characters

to change; to alter

mouth; speech; words

Examples

他说完之后马上改口，说自己说错了。

Tā shuō wán zhīhòu mǎshàng gǎikǒu, shuō zìjǐ shuō cuò le.

He immediately took back what he said, claiming he had misspoken.

结婚后，她开始改口叫公婆爸爸妈妈。

Jiéhūn hòu, tā kāishǐ gǎikǒu jiào gōngpó bàba māma.

After getting married, she started calling her parents-in-law mom and dad.

他在压力下终于改口承认了错误。

Tā zài yālì xià zhōngyú gǎikǒu chéngrèn le cuòwù.

Under pressure, he finally changed his tune and admitted his mistake.

Tips

usage

改口 has two distinct uses: (1) retracting or revising something said, and (2) changing how you address someone, especially when a new family relationship forms after marriage.

Stroke Order

改 gǎi

口 kǒu