口头禅 kǒutóuchán Zen saying repeated as cant
Zen saying repeated as cant; (figuratively) catchphrase; mantra; favorite expression; stock phrase
How to remember 口头禅: 口 mouth (Kangxi radical 30) + 头 head + 禅 meditation = Zen saying repeated as cant.
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How it is used
- 'A pet phrase / verbal tic / catchphrase one habitually repeats' - '随便' 是他的口头禅 ('whatever' is his stock phrase).
- Originally a Zen term for a saying mouthed without real understanding; now the everyday word for someone's habitual filler expression.