一言不发

yī yán bù fā

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Uncommon

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Definitions

1. to not say a word (idiom)

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 喋喋不休 dié dié bù xiū 喋喋不休 dié dié bù xiū to chatter or jabber on and on 表示话说个不停: to chatter or jabber on and on

Register variants

1 item

• 一声不吭 yī shēng bù kēng 一声不吭 yī shēng bù kēng to not say a word 意思相同，较口语化: to not say a word

Related words

1 item

• 守口如瓶 shǒu kǒu rú píng 守口如瓶 shǒu kǒu rú píng lit. to guard one's mouth like a closed bottle (idiom); tight-lipped 形容说话谨慎，不透露秘密: lit. to guard one's mouth like a closed bottle (idiom); tight-lipped

Usage notes

Collocations

常与“整天”、“默默地”等副词搭配，形容长时间沉默。

Common mistakes

不可说“一言没发”，否定词必须用“不”。

Example Sentences

1 shown

他坐在那里 一言不发 。

He sat there without saying a word.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 一言不发

• 一 一 yī: one
• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 发 发 fā: to send out
• 发 发 fà: hair
• 一言 一言 yī yán: one sentence
• 言 言 yán: words