Definition
一言不发 means 'to not say a word' — it focuses on the act of remaining silent, often due to emotion or deliberate choice. 无话可说 (wú huà kě shuō) instead means 'to have nothing to say' (speechless from shock or guilt). 一声不吭 (yī shēng bù kēng) is similar but more colloquial, emphasizing utter silence (not even a sound).
phrase
to not say a wordto remain completely silent
Examples
- 一言不发,。Tā zuò zài nàli yī yán bù fā, kàn qǐlai hěn bù gāoxìng.He sat there without saying a word, looking very unhappy.
- ,一言不发。Tīng dào zhège xiāoxi, tā yī yán bù fā de zhuǎnshēn líkāi le.Hearing this news, she turned and left without a word.
- ,一言不发。Zhěng gè huìyì zhōng, tā shǐzhōng yī yán bù fā.Throughout the meeting, he didn't say a word.
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