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March 24, 2026
沉默chénmò(chen2mo4)
沉默 (chén mò) means to be silent or uncommunicative, often implying a reluctance to speak or express thoughts. It is commonly used in contexts where someone chooses not to engage in conversation, either due to shyness, contemplation, or discomfort. This word conveys a deeper sense of stillness than just not talking, suggesting an emotional or mental state.
Frequency#3086DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 沉默 can be seen as a sign of respect or contemplation, especially in serious discussions or when listening to elders. It contrasts with the more expressive communication styles often valued in Western cultures.
Memory Tip
Imagine a deep, still lake (沉) that is completely silent (默). The lake's surface reflects the sky but doesn't reveal what lies beneath, just as a taciturn person keeps their thoughts hidden. The sound 'chen' can remind you of 'chenille,' a soft, quiet fabric, while 'mo' resembles the sound of silence.
Meanings of 沉默
chénmò(chen2mo4)
1taciturn
2uncommunicative
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About 沉默
沉默Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3086Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 沉默
Podcast: 沉默
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AI Study Notes for 沉默
Quick Contrast
沉静 (chénjìng) vs 沉默 (chénmò): choose 沉静 when emphasizing a calm and peaceful silence, whereas 沉默 implies a reluctance or unwillingness to speak.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a deep, still lake (沉) that is completely silent (默). The lake's surface reflects the sky but doesn't reveal what lies beneath, just as a taciturn person keeps their thoughts hidden. The sound 'chen' can remind you of 'chenille,' a soft, quiet fabric, while 'mo' resembles the sound of silence.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 沉默 with other similar terms like 安静 (ān jìng), which means quiet but does not imply a lack of communication. This word is more formal and often used in literary contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include '沉默寡言' (chén mò guǎ yán), meaning 'taciturn.'
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, students should focus on the nuance between 沉默 and other synonyms. Understanding the emotional context behind being silent can enhance your conversational skills. Practice using it in sentences that reflect both personal feelings and observations in social situations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 沉默 can be seen as a sign of respect or contemplation, especially in serious discussions or when listening to elders. It contrasts with the more expressive communication styles often valued in Western cultures.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 沉默 to describe a peaceful quiet environment, which is better expressed with 安静 (ān jìng). For example, saying '这个地方很沉默' (This place is very silent) should be corrected to '这个地方很安静.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 沉默
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Grammar Patterns of 沉默
沉默 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
女孩尴尬地说了句“这是马尔科姆”，打破了____。
"This is Malcolm," the girl said awkwardly, to fill the silence.
Example Sentences for 沉默 (10)
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1
女孩尴尬地说了句“这是马尔科姆”，打破了沉默。
nǚ hái gān gà dì shuō le jù“ “ zhè shì mǎ ěr kē”， mǔ ”， dǎ pò le。
"This is Malcolm," the girl said awkwardly, to fill the silence.
2
珀尔并不介意他沉默寡言；事实上，她喜欢这一点。
pò ěr bìng bù jiè yì tā chén mò guǎ yán； ； shì shí， shàng ， tā xǐ huān zhè。
Pearl didn't mind his reticence; in fact she liked it.
The silence lengthened as Thorne unnecessarily shuffled some papers.
9
当我们向大家寻求建议时，得到的只是一片死寂的沉默。
dāng wǒ mén xiàng dà jiā xún qiú jiàn yì shí， ， dé dào de zhī shì yī piàn sǐ jì de chén。
When we ask people for suggestions we get a deafening silence.
10
她沉默了很久之后, 忽然笑了起来.
tā chén mò le hěn jiǔ zhī hòu, , hū rán xiào le qǐ.
After a long silence, she broke into a laugh.
Cultural Notes for 沉默
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being 沉默 can be seen as a sign of respect or contemplation, especially in serious discussions or when listening to elders. It contrasts with the more expressive communication styles often valued in Western cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions about 沉默
You could say, '在会议上，他一直沉默不语,' meaning 'He remained silent during the meeting.'
Not necessarily; it can convey a thoughtful silence or respect, but it can also imply discomfort or a lack of willingness to engage.
沉默 refers specifically to silence in communication, while 静止 means stillness or immobility, often related to objects or people not moving.
