一言不发 yìyán-bùfā to not say a word (idiom)
How to remember 一言不发: 一 one + 言 words + 不 not + 发 send out = to not say a word (idiom).
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How it is used
- 'Without uttering a single word' - to stay silent - 他一言不发地听完 (tā yìyán-bùfā de tīng wán) he listened through it without saying a word.
- Stresses saying nothing at all, often through reluctance, anger, or shock. Usually adverbial with 地.
- Near 一声不吭 (yìshēng-bùkēng); 一言不发 focuses on words/speech, 一声不吭 on not making any sound.