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脱口而出 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
脱口而出tuōkǒu’érchūto blurt outHSK 7, unknown, 25 strokes, rank #15957, Very Hard
脱口而出tuōkǒu’érchūto let slip (an indiscreet remark)HSK 7, unknown, 25 strokes, rank #15957, Very Hard
tuōkǒu’érchū(tuo1kou3er2chu1)tuo kou er chu T1
  1. 1to blurt out
  2. 2to let slip (an indiscreet remark)
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March 24, 2026

脱口而出(脫口而出)tuōkǒu’érchū(tuo1kou3er2chu1)

脱口而出 is an idiom that means to blurt something out or to say something without thinking, often leading to an indiscretion. It is commonly used in contexts where someone unintentionally reveals information or makes a remark that they later regret.

Strokes25Frequency#15957DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, being discreet and careful with words is highly valued, especially in social settings. Saying something inappropriate can lead to loss of face, making this idiom particularly relevant in discussions about social etiquette.

Memory tip

Imagine someone at a party who, in a moment of excitement, 'lets it slip' about a secret. The character 脱 (tuō) suggests 'to escape' or 'remove', as if the words escape their mouth, while 口 (kǒu) means 'mouth', and 而出 (ér chū) implies 'and come out'. Visualize a mouth escaping with words!

Meanings of 脱口而出

tuōkǒu’érchū(tuo1kou3er2chu1)
1to blurt out
2to let slip (an indiscreet remark)
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About 脱口而出

脱口而出Simplified
脫口而出Traditional
25Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 脱口而出

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AI study notes for 脱口而出

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in informal contexts. A common mistake is to use it in situations where someone has intentionally shared information; it should only be used when the remark is unintentional. Be cautious with tonal pronunciation: 脱 (tuō) vs. 托 (tuō) can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

脱口而出 is not formally included in HSK levels but connects with commonly learned phrases about speech or communication. Focus on recognizing how idioms encapsulate complex ideas in a few words, which is a key aspect of advanced language use.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 脱口而出 with intentional statements, using it incorrectly in contexts like planned speeches. For example, saying '他在演讲中脱口而出' (He blurted out during the speech) is incorrect; he should not have 'blurred out' if it was planned.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 脱口而出

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Idiom spotlight: 脱口而出

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:escape mouth and out

Component characters

脱tuōto shed
HSK 411 strokes⺼
View full entry
口kǒumouth
HSK 13 strokes口
View full entry
而érand
HSK 46 strokes而
View full entry
出chūto go out
HSK 25 strokes凵
View full entry

How to say to blurt out in Chinese

“to blurt out” in Chinese is脱口而出tuōkǒu’érchū

脱口而出 is an idiom that means to blurt something out or to say something without thinking, often leading to an indiscretion. It is commonly used in contexts where someone unintentionally reveals information or makes a remark that they later regret.

When to use 脱口而出

This idiom is typically used in informal contexts. A common mistake is to use it in situations where someone has intentionally shared information; it should only be used when the remark is unintentional. Be cautious with tonal pronunciation: 脱 (tuō) vs. 托 (tuō) can change the meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 脱口而出 with intentional statements, using it incorrectly in contexts like planned speeches. For example, saying '他在演讲中脱口而出' (He blurted out during the speech) is incorrect; he should not have 'blurred out' if it was planned.

Write 脱口而出

脱
口
而
出

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Frequently asked questions about 脱口而出

No, 脱口而出 specifically refers to unintentional remarks or blunders.

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