Signification
Someone who gossips or talks too much.
Contexte culturel
In the steppe, silence is often more respected than speech. A 'long tongue' was historically dangerous as it could lead to tribal conflicts. The idiom is now frequently used to describe social media drama and 'influencer' culture where private lives are made public. Parents use this phrase to teach children 'discretion'—not to repeat what they hear at home to outsiders. Being labeled 'урт хэлтэй' can be a career-killer in Mongolian companies, as loyalty and discretion are highly valued.
Use it carefully
Calling someone 'урт хэлтэй' is a direct insult to their character. Use it about people, not to their faces unless you want a fight.
Grammar check
Always remember the '-тэй' suffix when describing a person. 'Тэр урт хэл' sounds like you are pointing at a literal tongue on a table.
Signification
Someone who gossips or talks too much.
Use it carefully
Calling someone 'урт хэлтэй' is a direct insult to their character. Use it about people, not to their faces unless you want a fight.
Grammar check
Always remember the '-тэй' suffix when describing a person. 'Тэр урт хэл' sounds like you are pointing at a literal tongue on a table.
Steppe Telegraph
Remember that in Mongolia, news travels fast. Being 'long-tongued' is seen as a social betrayal.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct form to describe a person who gossips.
Тэр эмэгтэй маш ______.
We use the suffix '-тэй' to describe a person's characteristic.
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
Битгий урт хэл ______ бай!
The verb 'гаргах' (to put out/emit) is used with 'урт хэл' to mean the act of gossiping.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Someone told your secret to the whole class.
Telling secrets is the core meaning of having a 'long tongue'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Би түүнд итгэж болох уу? B: Үгүй ээ, тэр их ______.
If you can't trust someone with a secret, they are likely 'урт хэлтэй'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesТэр эмэгтэй маш ______.
We use the suffix '-тэй' to describe a person's characteristic.
Битгий урт хэл ______ бай!
The verb 'гаргах' (to put out/emit) is used with 'урт хэл' to mean the act of gossiping.
Someone told your secret to the whole class.
Telling secrets is the core meaning of having a 'long tongue'.
A: Би түүнд итгэж болох уу? B: Үгүй ээ, тэр их ______.
If you can't trust someone with a secret, they are likely 'урт хэлтэй'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in 99% of cases, it is a negative description of someone who gossips or talks too much.
Yes, parents often use it to tell children to stop talking back or being too 'mouthy'.
The opposite is 'дуу цөөтэй' (quiet/reserved) or 'нууц хадгалдаг' (keeps secrets).
It's more of an idiom than slang. It's understood by all ages and used in standard casual Mongolian.
You say 'Тэр урт хэлтэй хүн'.
Only if you are being self-deprecating or joking, e.g., 'Би ч бас жаахан урт хэлтэй шүү' (I'm a bit of a gossip too, I guess).
No. For fluency, use 'урсгал' (flow) or 'сайн' (good).
Only informally between trusted colleagues. Never in a meeting.
It means the act of gossiping or talking back.
Instead of 'урт хэлтэй', you could say 'яриа ихтэй' (has a lot of talk).
Expressions liées
Ам султай
synonymLoose-mouthed
Ховч
similarA gossip
Хэл ам
builds onRumors/Talk
Дуу цөөтэй
contrastQuiet/Reserved
Хэлээ хазах
similarTo bite one's tongue
