Definition
改口 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to change one's story, correct oneself, or take back what one said'. The verb 改 and the noun 口 can split when inserting a complement, aspect marker, or measure word: 改过口 ('have changed one's story'), 改不了口 ('can't change one's story'). It's often used when someone initially says something and then revises it under pressure or after realizing a mistake.
v.o.
to change one's storyto correct oneselfto take back a previous remark
Examples
- ，改口。Tā yī kāishǐ shuō bù zhīdào, hòulái cái gǎi kǒu shuō zhīdào le.At first he said he didn't know, only later did he change his story and say he knew.
- ，改口。Tā gāng shuō wán jiù hòuhuǐ le, xiǎng gǎi kǒu yǐjīng láibují le.She regretted it as soon as she said it, and by the time she wanted to take it back it was too late.
- 改口，。Tā sǐ bù gǎi kǒu, jiānchí zìjǐ yuánlái de shuōfǎ.He absolutely refuses to change his story and sticks to his original statement.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.