默不作声

默不作聲

mòbù-zuòshēng

idiom #44,657

Meanings

1 to remain silent; to say nothing at all
2 to keep one's mouth shut

Characters

Examples

HSK 4

无论怎么问，她都默不作声。

Wúlùn zěnme wèn, tā dōu mòbùzuòshēng.

No matter how he asked, she remained silent.

HSK 7-9

听完批评，他默不作声地低下了头。

Tīng wán pīpíng, tā mòbùzuòshēng de dīxià le tóu.

After hearing the criticism, he silently lowered his head, saying nothing.

Tips

usage

Implies deliberate silence in a context where speech would be expected - usually under questioning, criticism, or pressure. Compare 鸦雀无声 (a whole crowd is silent).

Stroke Order

默 mò

不 bù

作 zuò

声 shēng