📖 Meaning
Describes a person who is quiet and speaks very little. It characterizes a reserved, taciturn temperament that prefers silence over expressing thoughts or feelings openly.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the 'Old Book of Tang' (旧唐书), in the biography of Liang Chongyi (梁崇义), a native of Chang'an. He first earned his living measuring grain in the marketplace, but he possessed great physical strength and could coil metal and straighten hooks. He later served in the Yulin imperial archery guard and followed the general Lai Zhen to Xiangyang. Despite his martial prowess, Liang was silent and spoke little, which won him the affection of his peers and led to his gradual promotion to deputy commander.
💡 Example Usage
父亲一生沉默寡言，把所有的爱都藏在行动里。
My father was silent and spoke little his whole life, hiding all his love in his actions.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 沉默寡言
- Pinyin: chén mò guǎ yán
- Literal Translation: silent, few, words
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4