Japanese word

黙る

Pronunciation

Romajidamaru

Meaning

  • verbkeep quiet, be quiet

Example

先生が話すときは黙ります。sen sei ga hana su to ki wa dama ri ma su

I keep quiet when the teacher speaks.

Illustration for 黙る (keep quiet)

More examples

授業中は黙ります。ju gyō chū wa dama ri ma su

We are quiet during class.

緊張すると、何も言わずに黙ります。kin chō su ru to nan mo i wa zu ni dama ri ma su

When I get nervous, I keep quiet without saying anything.

Core concept

It centers on the shift from speaking to silence, whether the silence is voluntary or follows a request.

Common phrases

  • 黙っているdama tte i ru

    remain silent

  • 黙って聞くdama tte ki ku

    listen quietly

Definition in Japanese

人が話すことをやめ、声を出さない状態になること。hito ga hana su ko to o ya me koe o da sa na i jō tai ni na ru ko to

Word origin

黙る (damaru) is a native Japanese verb, and its original formation is not certain; it is written with 黙 (moku, "silence"), a kanji chosen for its meaning rather than proof of the verb's etymology.

Usage tips

  • The command 黙って (damatte) is a direct and often blunt request for silence, so it can sound stronger than the neutral English phrase "keep quiet".

Other meanings

  • say nothingverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 黙り方damarikataway of staying quietnoun

Word lists with this word