Definition
还嘴 is a colloquial separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to talk back' or 'to retort' — usually in a defiant or disrespectful tone, like a child answering a parent or an employee snapping at a boss. The verb 还 and the object 嘴 can split when you add a measure word or duration: 还了一句嘴 ('retorted once'), 还了半天嘴 ('argued back for a while'). It's informal and carries a negative connotation of insubordination.
v.o.
(colloquial) to talk backto retort (defiantly)
Examples
- ，还嘴。Māma pīpíng tā de shíhou, tā jūrán gǎn huán zuǐ.When his mother criticized him, he actually dared to talk back.
- ，。Tā gēn lǎobǎn huán le yí jù zuǐ, jiù bèi kāichú le.She retorted once to her boss and got fired.
- 还嘴。Lǎoshī shuōhuà de shíhou bié huán zuǐ.Don't talk back when the teacher is speaking.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.