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七嘴八舌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
七嘴八舌qīzuǐbāshélively discussion with everybody talking at onceHSK 7, unknown, 26 strokes, rank #46969, Very Hard
qīzuǐbāshé(qi1zui3ba1she2)qi zui ba she T1
  1. 1lively discussion with everybody talking at once
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March 24, 2026

七嘴八舌qīzuǐbāshé(qi1zui3ba1she2)

七嘴八舌 (qī zuǐ bā shé) refers to a lively discussion or debate where multiple people are speaking at the same time, often expressing differing opinions. It implies a chaotic but vibrant exchange of ideas, commonly used in informal settings like family gatherings or casual meetings.

Strokes26Frequency#46969DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, lively discussions are common during family dinners or gatherings, where everyone shares their thoughts on various topics, reflecting the value placed on community and open dialogue.

Memory tip

Imagine a scene where seven mouths (七嘴) and eight tongues (八舌) are all trying to speak at once, creating a cacophony of voices. The number 'seven' and 'eight' can help you remember that this idiom represents numerous people involved in a conversation.

Meanings of 七嘴八舌

qīzuǐbāshé(qi1zui3ba1she2)
1lively discussion with everybody talking at once
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About 七嘴八舌

七嘴八舌Simplified
26Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 七嘴八舌

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in informal contexts and can be a bit chaotic, so avoid using it in formal writing or speeches. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar expressions that imply orderly discussion. It often appears in phrases like ‘在会议上七嘴八舌’ (everyone was talking at once in the meeting).

HSK Study Tips

While this idiom is not explicitly part of any HSK level, it embodies the conversational nature that is essential for intermediate learners. Focus on understanding its context and practicing it in discussions to enhance fluency.

Common Mistakes

Learners might mistakenly use this idiom to describe a well-organized debate, whereas it actually conveys a sense of disorder. For example, saying '会议上七嘴八舌' (everyone was orderly discussing in the meeting) would be incorrect; instead, use it in contexts where the discussion is lively and chaotic.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 七嘴八舌

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Component characters

七qīseven
HSK 12 strokes一
View full entry
嘴zuǐmouth
HSK 316 strokes口
View full entry
八bāeight
HSK 12 strokes八
View full entry
舌shétongue
6 strokes舌
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How to say lively discussion with everybody talking at once in Chinese

“lively discussion with everybody talking at once” in Chinese is七嘴八舌qīzuǐbāshé

七嘴八舌 (qī zuǐ bā shé) refers to a lively discussion or debate where multiple people are speaking at the same time, often expressing differing opinions. It implies a chaotic but vibrant exchange of ideas, commonly used in informal settings like family gatherings or casual meetings.

When to use 七嘴八舌

This idiom is typically used in informal contexts and can be a bit chaotic, so avoid using it in formal writing or speeches. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar expressions that imply orderly discussion. It often appears in phrases like ‘在会议上七嘴八舌’ (everyone was talking at once in the meeting).

What learners get wrong

Learners might mistakenly use this idiom to describe a well-organized debate, whereas it actually conveys a sense of disorder. For example, saying '会议上七嘴八舌' (everyone was orderly discussing in the meeting) would be incorrect; instead, use it in contexts where the discussion is lively and chaotic.

Write 七嘴八舌

七
嘴
八
舌

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Frequently asked questions about 七嘴八舌

No, 七嘴八舌 is more suitable for informal conversations and should be avoided in formal contexts.

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