说闲话

說閒話
shuōxiánhuà
verb HSK 7-9 #19,615

Meanings

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

Examples

HSK 3
Bié zài bèihòu shuōxiánhuà.
Don't gossip behind people's backs.
HSK 5
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

shuō
xián
huà