Chinese Idiom: 交头接耳 (Jiao Tou Jie Er)
English Translation: Heads together and ears touching
pīn yīn: jiāo tóu jiē ěr
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the act of whispering or talking quietly and secretly, with heads close together and ears almost touching. It often implies gossiping or discussing something privately.
Historical Source: 《水浒传》 (Water Margin), a classic Chinese novel written by Shi Nai’an during the Ming Dynasty.
Idiom Story:
In “Water Margin”, a famous Chinese classic, there is a story about Lin Chong, a former instructor in the imperial army of the capital. He was framed and exiled to a military post in Cangzhou due to his conflicts with a powerful official named Gao Taiwei.
One day, Lin Chong was casually walking around when he encountered Li Xia’er, who was saved by Lin Chong in the past. Li Xia’er had been caught stealing money and Lin Chong had helped him by paying for the damages. Grateful, Li Xia’er had opened a teahouse in Cangzhou and often showed hospitality towards Lin Chong.
One day, a group of suspicious-looking strangers, speaking with a Tokyo accent, arrived at Li Xia’er’s teahouse. As Li Xia’er served them, he overheard the name “Gao Taiwei” and became worried. He told his wife to eavesdrop on their conversation from behind the wall, to avoid causing any trouble for Lin Chong.
Li Xia’er’s wife listened carefully and reported back that the strangers were whispering to each other and mentioned something about ensuring Lin Chong’s death, with one of them having offered money. This caused great concern for Li Xia’er and his wife, as they realized the strangers might be involved in a plot against Lin Chong.
When Lin Chong arrived at the teahouse and learned about the suspicious visitors, he was enraged. He immediately sought to confront the threat and protect himself from the plot against him.
A few days later, during a stormy night, the conspirators tried to burn down the grassland where Lin Chong was staying to kill him. However, Lin Chong discovered their plan and fought back, ultimately defeating them and avenging the wrongs done to him.
The story illustrates the meaning of “交头接耳” as the conspirators were secretly whispering and plotting against Lin Chong, thus giving rise to this idiom to describe secretive and conspiratorial conversations.
