调嘴学舌

調嘴學舌

tiáozuǐ-xuéshé

idiom

Meanings

1 to gossip and stir up trouble
2 to incite trouble between people by tale-bearing

Characters

to tease / work

to imitate / learn

Examples

HSK 2

她最爱调嘴学舌，离她远点。

Tā zuì ài tiáozuǐ-xuéshé, lí tā yuǎn diǎn.

She loves stirring up gossip - keep your distance.

HSK 7-9

邻里之间最忌调嘴学舌。

Línlǐ zhījiān zuì jì tiáozuǐ-xuéshé.

Among neighbors, tale-bearing is the worst.

Tips

history

Recorded in the Ming-dynasty huaben collection 《清平山堂话本》 ('Stories of the Pure Peaceful Hall'), in the tale of 'Quick-Tongued Li Cuilian.' The phrase pairs 调嘴 (working the mouth) with 学舌 (mimicking with the tongue) - both halves point to manipulative talk.

Stroke Order

调 tiáo

嘴 zuǐ

学 xué

舌 shé