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切口 (qiè kǒu) — specialized jargon or argot of a particular social group, profession, or underworld; regional accent or dialect

Definition

A single noun that covers two distinct senses: the secret jargon of a trade, profession, or underworld, and a regional accent or dialect. Let context tell you which one is meant.

noun
specialized jargon or argot of a particular social group, profession, or underworldregional accent or dialect

Examples

  • 切口。
    Jǐng chá tīng bù dǒng fàn zuì fèn zǐ de qiè kǒu.
    The police can't understand the criminals' argot.
  • 切口。
    Zhè ge háng yè de qiè kǒu zhǐ yǒu lǎo yuán gōng cái shú xi.
    Only veteran employees are familiar with this industry's jargon.
  • 切口。
    Bù tóng dì qū de qiè kǒu chā bié hěn dà.
    The regional accents of different areas are very different.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

切qiècut
口kǒumouth

It combines 切 'cut' with 口 'mouth', evoking a clipped, specialized way of speaking.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
刀刀dāoknife
Sound part声符shēngfú
七
七qī切qiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 切, the 刀 (knife) part is joined to 七, which gives the sound.

Open 切 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The form 口 looks like an open mouth.

Open 口 →
Appears in
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