Definition
口头语 can mean two things: (1) spoken, colloquial language (as opposed to written language), and (2) a pet phrase or habitual expression that someone frequently uses. In everyday HSK-level usage, the second sense is more common—it's the phrase someone says all the time, like 'You know?' or 'I mean…' in English. Don't confuse it with 口头禅 (kǒutóuchán), which specifically refers to an unconscious, repetitive catchphrase; 口头语 is broader and can be any regularly used expression.
n.
pet phrasehabitual expressionstock phrasespoken (colloquial) language (versus written language)
Examples
- 口头语“”，。Tā de kǒu tóu yǔ shì “méi wèntí”, shénme dōu shuō méi wèntí.His pet phrase is “no problem” — he says no problem about everything.
- 口头语，。Xiě wénzhāng shí yào shǎo yòng kǒu tóu yǔ, duō yòng zhèngshì de shūmiànyǔ.When writing articles, you should use fewer colloquial expressions and more formal written language.
- 口头语，口头语。Měi gè rén dōu yǒu zìjǐ de kǒu tóu yǔ, yǒu xiē rén de kǒu tóu yǔ hěn yǒuyìsi.Everyone has their own pet phrase, and some people's pet phrases are very interesting.
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