Translation guide
Ways to express the act or state of not speaking, staying quiet, or refraining from speech in Japanese.
Describing the state of being silent, not talking, or refraining from speech.
The most common verb for 'to be silent' or 'to stop talking'. Often used when someone suddenly stops speaking or is told to be quiet.
A noun meaning 'silence', often implying a heavy or meaningful silence. Used in formal or literary contexts.
Literally 'to shut one's mouth', meaning to refuse to speak or to keep silent, often deliberately.
彼はそのことについては口を閉ざした。
He kept silent about that matter.
Noun meaning 'wordless' or 'silent'. Often used in phrases like 無言で (without a word).
彼は無言でうなずいた。
He nodded silently.
Choosing not to disclose something, maintaining confidentiality.
The te-iru form of 黙る, meaning 'to keep silent' about something. Commonly used when someone is expected not to reveal a secret.
このことは黙っていてください。
Please keep this to yourself.
彼は何も知らないのに黙っていた。
He kept quiet even though he didn't know anything.
To keep something a secret. More direct than 黙っている.
この計画は秘密にしてください。
Please keep this plan a secret.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to be tight-lipped' or 'able to keep a secret'. Describes a person's character.
彼は口が固いから安心だ。
He's tight-lipped, so we can trust him.
Commands or requests for someone to stop talking.
Imperative form of 黙る. A strong, rude command meaning 'Shut up!'. Use with caution.
Very direct and impolite. Only use in extreme situations or with close friends in jest.
黙れ！
Shut up!
Polite request meaning 'Please be quiet'. Suitable for most situations.
図書館では静かにしてください。
Please be quiet in the library.
A more formal or elegant way to ask for silence, often used in announcements or by staff.
お静かにお願いします。
Please be quiet. (formal)
Choosing not to respond verbally, often implying consent, refusal, or contemplation.
Proverb meaning 'silence is golden'. Used to suggest that sometimes it's better to say nothing.
時には沈黙は金だ。
Sometimes silence is golden.
Simply 'not answering'. Can be used when someone remains silent instead of replying.
彼は質問に答えなかった。
He didn't answer the question.
To stubbornly keep silent, often to avoid responsibility or confrontation. Has a negative nuance.
彼はだんまりを決め込んで何も話さなかった。
He clammed up and didn't say anything.
While 黙れ (damare) is a direct translation of 'shut up', it is very harsh and should be avoided in polite conversation. Use 静かにしてください or simply remain silent yourself to set an example.
黙る (damaru) is a verb meaning 'to stop talking' or 'to be silent', focusing on the absence of speech. 静か (shizuka) is an adjective meaning 'quiet' in a broader sense, including low volume of sound. Use 黙る for people, 静か for environments.