沈黙|ちんもくchinmoku[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbsilence; being silent; quiet; hush
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbreticence; inaction
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 沈黙する（ちんもくする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 沈黙します（ちんもくします） |
| Negative (nai) | 沈黙しない（ちんもくしない） |
| polite (masen) | 沈黙しません（ちんもくしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 沈黙せず・沈黙せぬ（ちんもくせず・ちんもくせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 沈黙した（ちんもくした） |
| polite (mashita) | 沈黙しました（ちんもくしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 沈黙しなかった（ちんもくしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 沈黙しませんでした（ちんもくしませんでした） |
| Te form | 沈黙して（ちんもくして） |
| Potential | 沈黙できる（ちんもくできる） |
| Passive | 沈黙される（ちんもくされる） |
| Causative | 沈黙させる（ちんもくさせる） |
| Causative passive | 沈黙させられる（ちんもくさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 沈黙すれば（ちんもくすれば） |
| tara | 沈黙したら（ちんもくしたら） |
| Volitional | 沈黙しよう（ちんもくしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 沈黙しましょう（ちんもくしましょう） |
| Imperative | 沈黙しろ（ちんもくしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym無言むごんNeutralA noun for not speaking, as in 「無言電話」 or 「無言のまま」; the emphasis is on making no sound. 「沈黙」 can also describe a quiet environment.
- Synonym無声むせいWrittenWritten style for having no sound, as in 「無声映画」; in phonetics it also means the vocal cords do not vibrate. Not used for a person keeping silent.
- SynonymだんまりCasualColloquial for saying nothing at all, as in 「だんまりを決め込む」; often tinged with sulking or playing dumb. 「沈黙」 is neutral and carries no such coloring.
- SynonymサイレンスNeutralA loanword for silence and stillness, but rare — found mostly in titles of works and slogans. In everyday speech say 「静けさ」 or 「沈黙」.
- Related静寂せいじゃくWrittenWritten style for deep, utter stillness, as in 「夜のしじま」; it can also mean keeping silent, with a strong literary flavor. In daily use say 「沈黙」 or 「静けさ」.
- Related静けさしずけさNeutralA noun for how quiet a place is, as in 「夜の静けさ」; it centers on the atmosphere of the setting. 「沈黙」 centers on a person not speaking.
- Related無音むおんNeutralA noun for the absence of sound, as in 「無音状態」; mostly in audio and technical contexts. 「沈黙」 usually refers to a person not speaking.
- Related森閑しんかんWrittenWritten style for hushed stillness, as in 「森閑とした境内」; used mainly to describe places, not for a person staying silent.
- Antonym発言はつげんNeutralSpeaking up to state one's views — the opposite of 「沈黙」's not speaking, as in 「沈黙を破って発言する」.
- Antonym雄弁ゆうべんNeutralEloquence — being a fluent, persuasive speaker — the opposite of 「沈黙」, as in the proverb 「沈黙は金、雄弁は銀」.
- Antonym喧騒けんそうNeutralThe din and bustle of voices — the opposite of 「沈黙」's soundless side; mostly describes busy streets and crowds.
Use 「沈黙」 for keeping silent, not speaking, or stillness, as in 「沈黙を破る」 and 「沈黙を守る」. For simply not speaking say 「無言」; for sulky silence 「だんまり」; for a quiet setting 「静けさ」. The opposite is 「発言」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
