# 交头接耳

jiāo tóu jiē ěr

Whisper closely to one another

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Bring heads together and touch ears

**Traditional Chinese:** 交頭接耳

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe quiet side conversations.

May imply distraction or secrecy.

## Understanding the expression

People bring their heads close so that speech can remain quiet and private. The expression describes the visible manner of whispering rather than revealing what is being said. It often appears in classrooms, meetings, or audiences, where side conversations may distract others. Whispering is not automatically malicious: people may need clarification or share practical information. The context determines whether the description simply records behavior or criticizes secrecy and inattention.

## Examples

学生在后排交头接耳。

### Traditional Chinese

學生在後排交頭接耳。

xué shēng zài hòu pái jiāo tóu jiē ěr 。

The students whispered to one another in the back row.

宣布结果前，评委交头接耳。

### Traditional Chinese

宣佈結果前，評委交頭接耳。

xuān bù jié guǒ qián ， píng wěi jiāo tóu jiē ěr 。

Before announcing the result, the judges conferred in whispers.

演出时请别交头接耳。

### Traditional Chinese

演出時請別交頭接耳。

yǎn chū shí qǐng bié jiāo tóu jiē ěr 。

Please do not whisper to one another during the performance.

两位同事交头接耳地核对名单。

### Traditional Chinese

兩位同事交頭接耳地核對名單。

liǎng wèi tóng shì jiāo tóu jiē ěr dì hé duì míng dān 。

The two colleagues quietly checked the list together.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%BA%A4%E9%A0%AD%E6%8E%A5%E8%80%B3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=850&webMd=1&la=0)

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