沉默 chénmò taciturn
taciturn; uncommunicative; silent
How to remember 沉默: 沉 to sink + 默 silent = taciturn.
Characters
How it is used
- Silence / being reticent - 保持沉默 (bǎochí chénmò) to keep silent, 沉默不语 (chénmò bù yǔ) to stay silent.
- Describes a chosen or heavy silence (of a person), not the mere absence of sound (安静 quiet).
- Can describe a taciturn temperament: 他很沉默 (tā hěn chénmò) he's a man of few words.
- 沉默是金 (chénmò shì jīn) = silence is golden.
Example sentences
- 我们保持了沉默。 Wǒmen bǎochí le chénmò.We kept quiet.
- 沉默就意味着同意。 Chénmò jiù yìwèizhe tóngyì.Silence gives consent.
- 男孩依旧沉默不语。 Nánhái yījiù chénmòbùyǔ.The boy remained silent.