Translation guide
How to express 'keep silent' in Japanese, covering staying quiet, not speaking, and withholding information.
The general act of remaining silent, not speaking or making sound.
The most common and natural way to say 'keep silent' or 'stay quiet'. It implies not speaking, often voluntarily.
Please keep silent during the meeting.
He kept silent without saying anything.
Literally 'be quiet', often used as a request or command. More about reducing noise than just not speaking.
Please keep silent in the library.
Formal/literary word for 'fall silent' or 'keep silence'. Often used in dramatic or written contexts.
He kept a heavy silence.
Choosing not to speak, especially when one could or wants to.
To not disclose something, to maintain confidentiality.
Literally 'protect a secret', the standard way to say 'keep a secret'.
Directly telling someone to keep silent.
The English phrase 'keep silent' does not directly translate to a single Japanese verb. Use 黙っている or 静かにする depending on context. 'サイレントを保つ' is not natural Japanese.
黙っている focuses on not speaking, while 静かにする focuses on not making noise. Use 黙っている when someone is expected to speak but stays quiet; use 静かにする when you want a quiet environment.
Literally 'shut one's mouth', meaning to refuse to speak or keep silent, often about a specific topic.
He kept silent about that matter.
To fall completely silent, often suddenly or stubbornly. Implies a prolonged silence.
She got angry and kept completely silent.
To refrain from saying something, to leave unsaid. Often used when you choose not to mention something.
I kept silent about the truth.
He promised to keep silent about the secret.
Same as above, but in context means 'keep silent about something'.
Keep silent about this to everyone, okay?
Describes a person who is tight-lipped, able to keep secrets. Not an action but a trait.
He keeps silent (is discreet), so I feel safe.
Politer command: 'Be quiet'. Used by teachers, in public announcements.
Keep silent!
Polite prefix 'o' added. Often used in formal settings like theaters.
Please keep silent.