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半天不说话
bàntiān bù shuōhuà
to stay silent for a long time
他生气了，半天不说话。
He was angry and stayed silent for a long time.
informal
To remain silent for an extended period, often due to anger, sadness, or deep thought.
她听到噩耗后，半天不说话，眼泪不停地流。
After hearing the bad news, she stayed silent for a long time, tears streaming down her face.
两个人吵架后，半天不说话，气氛很尴尬。
After the argument, they didn't speak for a long time, and the atmosphere was awkward.
This phrase emphasizes the duration of silence, often indicating strong emotions or deep contemplation.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Emotional Context
This phrase is often used to describe someone who is emotionally affected and chooses to remain silent.
Word Origin
Composed of '半天' (half a day, meaning a long time) and '不说话' (not speaking), emphasizing prolonged silence.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used to describe someone who is deeply affected by an event or emotion, leading to a prolonged period of silence.
Word Breakdown
半天
half a day, a long time
root不说话
not speaking
root汉英词典