交头接耳

• Pinyin: jiāo tóu jiē ěr
• Hanzi breakdown: 交 = to bring together; 头 = head; 接 = to touch, connect; 耳 = ear — heads and ears close together

Meaning

To whisper to each other; to put heads together. Describes people having a secretive, hushed conversation.

An idiom that vividly depicts people bringing their heads close together to whisper. Often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting gossip, secrecy, or behavior that excludes others. Can describe conspiratorial discussions or just private conversations.

Examples

1. 开会的时候，后排几个人一直在交头接耳，根本没在听。 During the meeting, several people in the back row kept whispering to each other and weren't listening at all.
2. 看到老板进来，那两个正在交头接耳的同事立刻分开了。 Upon seeing the boss come in, the two colleagues who were whispering immediately separated.
3. 学生们交头接耳地讨论着刚才考试的答案。 The students whispered among themselves discussing the answers from the exam they just took.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, workplace, school

Tone: slightly negative

Do Say

• 他们在角落里交头接耳，不知道在说什么。(They were whispering together in the corner, who knows what about.)
• 上课时不要交头接耳。(Don't whisper to each other during class.)

Don't Say

• 用'交头接耳'描述正常音量的对话 (Don't use 交头接耳 for normal-volume conversation — it specifically means whispering secretively; use 聊天 or 谈话 for regular discussion)

Origin & History

Classical idiom: 交头 (bring heads together) + 接耳 (ears touching). Creates a vivid image of people huddled close for private conversation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal