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静默 (jìng mò) — to become silent, to fall silent; to mourn in silence, to observe a moment of silence

Definition

A verb meaning to fall silent or observe a moment of silence. Often used transitively with a duration (静默一分钟) for mourning, and intransitively with 下来 or 了 to describe a scene going quiet.

verb
to become silentto fall silentto mourn in silenceto observe a moment of silence

Examples

  • 静默，。
    Jiào shì lǐ tū rán jìng mò xià lái, suǒ yǒu rén dōu kàn zhe mén kǒu.
    The classroom suddenly fell silent, and everyone looked at the door.
  • ，静默，。
    Quán tǐ qǐ lì, jìng mò yì fēn zhōng, miǎn huái shì zhě.
    Everyone stand up, observe a minute of silence in memory of the deceased.
  • ，静默。
    Tā fā yán hòu, huì chǎng jìng mò le jǐ miǎo zhōng.
    After he spoke, the venue was silent for a few seconds.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

静jìngquiet
默mòsilent

Quiet and silent combine to express falling silent or observing a moment of silence.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 靜; 静 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 靜, not the simplified 静, uses 青 and 爭 for sound; an old source also treats 青 (blue) as a meaning part.

Open 静 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
犬犬quǎndog
Sound part声符shēngfú
黑
黑hēi默mò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

默 pairs 黑 with 犬 (dog), and 黑 gives the sound.

Open 默 →
Appears in
Communication & Speech

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