Translation guide
Describes a person who tends to be silent or speaks very little, often by nature. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives describing personality, verbs for 'being silent,' or idiomatic phrases.
To describe someone who is naturally quiet and doesn't talk much.
He is a taciturn person.
He is known for being taciturn.
A more literary or formal term for 'taciturn,' often implying a dignified silence. Common in written descriptions.
a taciturn craftsman
A common phrase meaning 'to be of few words.' More descriptive than 無口.
He is taciturn (doesn't talk much).
Literally 'heavy-mouthed,' meaning reluctant to speak or slow to talk. Can imply shyness or unwillingness.
He is taciturn (slow to speak).
Means 'silent' or 'without words.' Can describe a person who doesn't speak, but more often used for situations or actions.
He sat there silently.
To describe someone who is not speaking at a particular moment, often by choice.
無口 is the everyday word for a quiet person. 寡黙 is more literary and often carries a nuance of dignified, stoic silence. Use 無口 in most conversations.
The English word 'taciturn' is relatively formal. In casual Japanese, it's more natural to say 口数が少ない or あまり話さない (doesn't talk much) rather than using a direct adjective.