Japanese word

沈黙

Pronunciation

Romajichinmoku

Meaning

  • nounsilence

Example

長い沈黙の後、彼は話しました。naga i chin moku no ato kare wa hana shi ma shi ta

After a long silence, he spoke.

Illustration for 沈黙 (silence)

More examples

二人の間に気まずい沈黙が流れました。futa ri no aida ni ki ma zu i chin moku ga naga re ma shi ta

An awkward silence fell between the two of them.

Core concept

Expresses a state in which communication becomes quiet because words or sounds are not produced.

Common phrases

  • 沈黙を破るchin moku o yabu ru

    break the silence

  • 沈黙を保つchin moku o tamo tsu

    maintain silence

  • 沈黙に包まれるchin moku ni tsutsu ma re ru

    be enveloped in silence

Similar words

無言mugon: A state in which no words are spoken, often during an interaction.
だんまりdanmari: A deliberate refusal to speak or respond, often continuing for some time.
無音muon: A condition in which no sound is present or can be heard.

Definition in Japanese

話し声や物音が途絶え、静けさが続いている状態。hana shi goe ya mono oto ga to da e shizu ke sa ga tsuzu i te i ru jō tai

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 沈黙 (chinmoku) consists of 沈 (chin, "sink") and 黙 (moku, "be silent"), whose meanings combine to denote silence.

Usage tips

  • The phrase "awkward silence" is common in English for a quiet moment that feels difficult because a conversation has unexpectedly stopped.

Other meanings

  • hushnoun

Opposites

  • 饒舌nyōzetsutalkativena-adjective

Related words

  • 沈黙するchinmokusururemain silentverb

Word lists with this word