不言不语

bù yán bù yǔ◆idiom
in silence

他不言不语地离开了房间。

He left the room in silence.

◆ What It Really Means
To remain completely silent, often due to emotional reasons like anger, sadness, or deep thought. It conveys a sense of withdrawal or internal focus rather than active communication.
Literal Meaning
To not speak and not speak.
Literal Breakdown
不not+言speak+不not+语speak
◇ Mental Image
Imagine a person with their lips sealed shut, refusing to open their mouth to speak, despite being in a situation where speech would be expected.
◈ When to Use
At a family dinner, a teenager sits at the table, not speaking a word, while their parents argue about an unrelated issue. Their silence is a form of protest or withdrawal.
◉ Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, silence can carry significant weight, often interpreted as a sign of respect, contemplation, or displeasure. This idiom reflects the cultural emphasis on non-verbal communication in emotional or tense situations.
literary

To remain silent without speaking, often indicating deep thought, anger, or withdrawal.

面对质问，他不言不语，表情冷漠。

Facing the accusations, he remained silent, his expression cold.

她不言不语地收拾行李，准备离开。

She silently packed her luggage, preparing to leave.

Commonly used to describe someone who is deliberately not speaking, often due to emotional reasons like anger, sadness, or contemplation.

Related Phrases

一言不发idiom
to not say a single word
沉默寡言idiom
taciturn, habitually silent

Pro Tip

Emotional Context

不言不语 often implies a deliberate choice to remain silent, rather than just being naturally quiet. Pay attention to the surrounding context to understand the speaker's emotional state.

Gold Rule

Idiom vs. Literal Meaning

This idiom is figurative—it does not mean 'not speaking about a specific topic' but rather 'remaining completely silent.'

Word Origin

The idiom originates from classical Chinese texts, combining two negative adverbs (不言, 不语) to emphasize complete silence. It first appeared in the Tang Dynasty and has been used in literature to depict characters who are emotionally withdrawn or contemplative.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in narrative contexts to describe a person's emotional state or reaction. It can carry a neutral to slightly negative connotation, depending on the context.

Word Breakdown

不
not
adverb
+
言
to speak
verb
+
不
not
adverb
+
语
to speak
verb
汉英词典
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