Translation guide
Describes someone who is reluctant to speak or share thoughts, often due to shyness, caution, or a reserved nature.
Describing a person who is habitually quiet, reserved, or reluctant to express themselves.
Describes a person who is naturally quiet and doesn't talk much. Often used for someone who is taciturn or reticent by nature.
He is a reticent person.
Literally 'heavy-mouthed,' meaning someone who is slow to speak or reluctant to talk. Often implies reticence in sharing thoughts or feelings.
He is reticent and rarely expresses his opinions.
A more formal or literary term for being taciturn or reticent. Often used in written descriptions.
a reticent craftsman
A straightforward phrase meaning 'doesn't talk much.' Can be used to describe reticent behavior without a specific adjective.
She is reticent but very kind.
Literally 'has few words,' meaning someone who is reticent or speaks very little.
He is reticent, but what he says is to the point.
Describing someone who is unwilling to discuss a particular subject, often due to sensitivity or secrecy.
Pattern meaning 'reluctant to talk about ~.' The topic is marked with について.
He is reticent about his past.
Literally 'tight-mouthed regarding ~,' meaning someone is reticent or discreet about a specific matter.
Means 'to keep silent about ~.' Implies deliberate reticence on a topic.
Describing a personality trait of being generally reserved, not just in speech but in demeanor.
Means reserved, modest, or restrained. Can describe a reticent personality that avoids standing out or speaking up.
She is reticent and doesn't often voice her opinions.
Describes someone who tends to hold back out of politeness or hesitation, often reticent to impose.
The English word 'reticent' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using a dictionary translation like 沈黙 (silence) or 無言 (speechless) would be unnatural. Instead, describe the behavior or use the phrases above.
Japanese often relies on context and indirectness. A person may be perceived as reticent simply because they follow cultural norms of not speaking unless necessary. The expressions above capture this nuance.
She is reticent about the details of her work.
He remains reticent about the incident.
彼は遠慮がちで、自分の希望を言い出せない。
He is reticent and can't bring himself to express his wishes.