寡言少语 (guǎ yán shǎo yǔ) — taciturn, quiet and reserved (of a person's character)

Definition

A set phrase (chengyu-like) describing a person who speaks little and stays quiet — a character trait, not a single act of silence. Closer in feel to 'reserved and reticent' than to simple 'quiet'.

verb
taciturnquiet and reserved (of a person's character)

Examples

  • 寡言少语
    Tā xìng gé nèi xiàng, píng shí guǎ yán shǎo yǔ.
    He is introverted and usually quiet and reserved.
  • 寡言少语
    Tā suī rán guǎ yán shǎo yǔ, dàn xīn lǐ shén me dōu míng bai.
    Although she is taciturn, she understands everything in her heart.
  • 寡言少语
    Nà ge guǎ yán shǎo yǔ de lǎo rén qí shí hěn yǒu zhì huì.
    That quiet, reserved old man is actually very wise.

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