一言不发

一言不發

yīyán-bùfā

idiom HSK 7-9 #15,697

Meanings

Literally 'not utter a single word' — completely silent.

他从头到尾一言不发。

Tā cóngtóudàowěi yīyán-bùfā.

He didn't say a single word from beginning to end.

她坐在那里一言不发，表情很严肃。

Tā zuò zài nàlǐ yīyán-bùfā, biǎoqíng hěn yánsù.

She sat there without saying a word, looking very serious.

usage

一言不发 describes deliberate or noticeable silence, often implying the person has a reason for not speaking (anger, sadness, concentration).

一 yī

言 yán

不 bù

发 fā