📖 Meaning
Not saying a single word; completely silent. It describes someone who remains mute in a situation where speech might be expected, whether from anger, shock, determination, or displeasure.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces to Ming dynasty literature, notably Feng Menglong's 'Yushi Mingyan' (Illustrated Words to Warn the World), where the character Qiao'er, upon hearing that her husband had divorced her, said not a word and simply began to weep. A later example appears in Wen Kang's Qing dynasty novel 'Ernü Yingxiong Zhuan' (Tales of Heroic Sons and Daughters), where a woman silently draws a blade without a word. Over time it became a common expression for total silence.
💡 Example Usage
他听完这番话，一言不发地转身离开了。
After hearing these words, he left without saying a word.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 一言不发
- Pinyin: yī yán bù fā
- Literal Translation: one, word, not, utter
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4