说闲话

說閒話

shuōxiánhuà

verb HSK 7 #19,615

Meanings

1 to gossip; to talk behind someone's back
2 to chat; to make idle talk

Characters

Examples

别在背后说闲话。

Bié zài bèihòu shuōxiánhuà.

Don't gossip behind people's backs.

邻居总爱说闲话。

Línjū zǒng ài shuōxiánhuà.

The neighbors always love to gossip.

Tips

usage

The negative sense (gossip, talk behind someone's back) is more common than the neutral sense (idle chat). Context usually makes the meaning clear.

Stroke Order

说 shuō

闲 xián

话 huà