📖 Meaning
To silently deliberate without speaking, indicating hesitation or indecision. It describes someone who is deep in thought and unable to give an immediate answer, often because of doubt or conflicting feelings.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Feng Menglong's 'Stories to Awaken the World' (醒世恒言) from the Ming Dynasty, specifically the tale 'Scholar Qian Mistakenly Wins a Phoenix Bride.' In the story, when Qian Wanxuan hears a certain proposal, he pauses to weigh the situation and falls silent. The phrase was later used in Qing Dynasty works such as Chu Renhuo's 'Romance of Sui and Tang' to depict a character's hesitant demeanor.
💡 Example Usage
见士及沉吟不语，便问士及道请问哥哥，这是何人所送？
Seeing Shi Ji pondering without a word, he asked, 'Brother, may I ask who sent this?'
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 沉吟不语
- Pinyin: chén yīn bù yǔ
- Literal Translation: ponder, murmur, not, speak
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4