Chinese word

无语

Pronunciation

Pinyinwú yǔ

Meaning

  • adjectivespeechless

Example

听到这个消息后，我无语。tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xī hòu wǒ wú yǔ

After hearing this news, I was speechless.

Illustration for 无语 (speechless)

More examples

他的表现让我当场无语。tā de biǎo xiàn ràng wǒ dāng chǎng wú yǔ

His performance left me speechless on the spot.

Core concept

A sudden blank when an awkward, shocking, or absurd situation leaves no words ready to come out.

Common phrases

  • 当场无语dāng chǎng wú yǔ

    be speechless on the spot

  • 无语了wú yǔ le

    be speechless

Similar words

无言wú yán: Silent and not expressing anything in words.
惊讶jīng yà: Feeling surprised by something unexpected.
尴尬gān gà: Feeling uneasy because a situation or atmosphere is awkward.

Definition in Chinese

表示因尴尬、吃惊或事态超出预期而一时说不出话，强调瞬间失语或无可描述的感受。biǎo shì yīn gān gà chī jīng huò shì tài chāo chū yù qī ér yì shí shuō bù chū huà qiáng diào shùn jiān shī yǔ huò wú kě miáo shù de gǎn shòu

Word origin

无语 (wúyǔ, "speechless") combines 无 (wú, "without") and 语 (yǔ, "words"), creating the literal idea of having no words to express a reaction.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may first connect the word with physical inability to speak, but everyday Chinese often uses it to comment briefly on what has just happened.

Other meanings

  • dumbfoundedadjective
  • be at a loss for wordsverb

Opposites

  • 健谈jiàn tántalkativeadjective

Word lists with this word