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半天不吭声
bàn tiān bù kēng shēng
What does "半天不吭声" mean in English?
to remain silent for a long time他半天不吭声，让大家都很尴尬。
He remained silent for a long time, making everyone feel awkward.
How to use "半天不吭声" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
informal
To stay completely silent for an extended period without speaking.
面对质问，他半天不吭声，最后才低声说了句‘不知道’。
Faced with the questioning, he stayed silent for a long time before finally muttering, 'I don't know.'
孩子半天不吭声，我还以为他睡着了。
The child stayed silent for so long that I thought he had fallen asleep.
Often implies reluctance to speak due to hesitation, anger, or contemplation.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal translation
Don’t translate this as 'half a day not making a sound.' Instead, use 'remain silent for a long time' to convey the intended meaning naturally in English.
Gold Rule
Context matters
This phrase is used when someone is expected to speak but chooses to stay silent for an unusually long time. It’s not about literal time but about the perceived duration of silence.
Word Origin
半天 (half a day) + 不吭声 (not make a sound). The phrase combines a temporal measure ('half a day') with a negation of speech, emphasizing an unusually prolonged silence.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in spoken Chinese to describe someone who is unusually quiet in a situation where speech is expected. Often carries a nuance of awkwardness or tension.
Word Breakdown
半天
half a day / a long time
phrase不
not
adverb吭声
make a sound / speak
verb phrase汉英词典