# 七嘴八舌

qī zuǐ bā shé

Have everyone talking at once

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Seven mouths and eight tongues

**Register:** Descriptive · conversational

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

## When to use it

Describe overlapping comments from several people.

Can be lively or confusing; not necessarily hostile.

## Understanding the expression

Many mouths and tongues compete for the same moment, producing a lively but overlapping conversation. The numbers suggest multiplicity rather than an exact count. The expression suits a family discussing plans or a group reacting to surprising news. It can convey enthusiasm as well as disorder. The issue is simultaneous speech, not simply a long conversation. If everyone speaks in turn, the same amount of discussion would not fit the image as well.

## Examples

孩子们七嘴八舌地问问题。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子們七嘴八舌地問問題。

hái zi men qī zuǐ bā shé dì wèn wèn tí 。

The children asked questions all at once.

大家七嘴八舌，讨论去哪旅行。

### Traditional Chinese

大家七嘴八舌，討論去哪旅行。

dà jiā qī zuǐ bā shé ， tǎo lùn qù nǎ lǚ xíng 。

Everyone talked at once about travel destinations.

消息传来，同事们七嘴八舌地议论。

### Traditional Chinese

消息傳來，同事們七嘴八舌地議論。

xiāo xī chuán lái ， tóng shì men qī zuǐ bā shé dì yì lùn 。

The news sparked overlapping comments from colleagues.

先别七嘴八舌，让她说完。

### Traditional Chinese

先別七嘴八舌，讓她說完。

xiān bié qī zuǐ bā shé ， ràng tā shuō wán 。

Stop talking over each other and let her finish.

## 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%B8%83%E5%98%B4%E5%85%AB%E8%88%8C)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=538&webMd=1&la=0)

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