Translation guide
Reticence is the quality of being reserved or reluctant to speak freely. In Japanese, expressing this concept depends on whether you are describing a personality trait, a deliberate choice to stay silent, or a situational reluctance to speak. The most natural expressions often focus on being quiet, reserved, or hesitant to speak, rather than a direct translation of 'reticence'.
Describing someone who is habitually quiet, not talkative, or reserved in character.
Describes a person of few words; taciturn. Commonly used for someone who doesn't speak much by nature.
彼は無口な人だ。
He is a reticent person.
Quiet and not speaking unnecessarily; often implies a dignified or stoic silence. Slightly more formal/literary than 無口.
寡黙な性格で、あまり自分から話さない。
He has a reticent personality and doesn't talk much on his own.
Literally 'has few words'; a very common and natural way to say someone is reticent or quiet.
彼女は口数が少ないけど、優しい人だ。
She is reticent but kind.
When someone is reticent about a specific topic or in a particular situation, often out of caution or reluctance.
Literally 'mouth is heavy'; describes reluctance to speak, often about a specific matter. Implies it takes effort to get the person to talk.
その話題になると、彼は口が重くなる。
He becomes reticent when that topic comes up.
Simply 'to remain silent'. Can be used when someone chooses not to speak, though it doesn't inherently carry the nuance of reluctance.
彼は何も言わずに黙っていた。
He remained reticent, saying nothing.
Reticence stemming from shyness, lack of confidence, or social anxiety.
Shy, bashful. Often used for people who are reticent because they are timid or introverted.
内気な子供は、知らない人には口をきかない。
A reticent child won't speak to strangers.
To be shy around strangers; often used for children or people who are reticent in unfamiliar social settings.
彼女は人見知りするので、パーティーではあまり話さない。
She is reticent around new people, so she doesn't talk much at parties.
Expressing reticence in a more formal, written, or abstract sense.
Silence; often used in literary or formal contexts. Can imply a heavy, meaningful silence rather than just not talking.
彼の沈黙は、同意の表れだった。
His reticence was a sign of agreement.
Keeping silent; muteness. Very formal, often used in psychological or legal contexts (e.g., selective mutism). Rare in everyday speech.
All describe a quiet person, but 無口 is the most common and neutral. 寡黙 carries a nuance of dignified silence, often used in written language. 口数が少ない is a very natural, everyday phrase that literally means 'has few words' and can be used in any register.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'reticence' in all contexts. Using a dictionary translation like 沈黙 or 寡黙 may sound unnatural if you simply want to say someone is quiet. Choose the expression based on the specific nuance: personality, deliberate silence, or shyness.
To be evasive or vague in speech; to not give a clear answer. Useful when reticence manifests as beating around the bush.
彼は質問に答えず、言葉を濁した。
He didn't answer the question and was reticent (evasive).
緘黙症の子供は、特定の状況で話せなくなる。
Children with selective mutism become reticent in specific situations.