Japanese Conversation · Level 90
60 words
Japanese word
無言
Pronunciation
Romajimugon
Meaning
- nounsilence
Example
質問されても、彼は無言でした。shitsu mon sa re te mo kare wa mu gon de shi ta
Even when asked a question, he remained silent.
More examples
図書館では、学生たちは無言で本を読んでいます。to sho kan de wa gaku sei ta chi wa mu gon de hon o yo n de i ma su
In the library, the students are reading their books in silence.
Core concept
It focuses on a person remaining without spoken words, making silence the visible form of a response or continued behavior.
Common phrases
無言でmu gon de
in silence
無言を貫くmu gon o tsuranu ku
maintain silence
無言のままmu gon no ma ma
remaining silent
Similar words
沈黙chinmoku: A period in which a person or group does not speak.
黙秘mokuhi: A deliberate refusal to give information or answer questions.
Definition in Japanese
口をきかず、黙っていること。kuchi o ki ka zu dama tte i ru ko to
Word origin
無言 (mugon, "silence") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 無 (mu, "without") and 言 (gon, "speech"), expressing the absence of spoken words.
Usage tips
- The form 無言で (mugon de) commonly means "without speaking" before an action, as in 無言で立ち去る (mugon de tachisaru).
Opposites
- 発言hatsugenspeechnoun
Related words
- 無言症mugonshōmutismnoun