沉默寡言 (chén mò guǎ yán) — reticent, taciturn, quiet and reserved

Definition

An idiom meaning 'taciturn' — describes someone who is habitually quiet and reserved, often by nature rather than choice. Stronger and more literary than the plain adjective 安静.

idiom
reticenttaciturnquiet and reserved

Examples

  • 沉默寡言
    Tā yí xiàng chén mò guǎ yán, kāi huì shí hěn shǎo fā yán.
    He has always been reticent and rarely speaks at meetings.
  • 沉默寡言
    Bié kàn tā chén mò guǎ yán, qí shí xīn lǐ shén me dōu qīng chǔ.
    Although he is taciturn, he actually knows everything in his heart.
  • 沉默寡言
    Tā cóng xiǎo xìng gé chén mò guǎ yán, bú tài xǐ huan shè jiāo.
    She has been reserved since childhood and doesn't really enjoy socializing.

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