adjective HSK 5
taciturn · reticent · of few words · not talkative
Meaning
寡言 describes someone who speaks very little, often by nature or personality. It emphasizes quiet restraint in speech rather than temporary silence. The word carries a neutral to slightly positive connotation, suggesting thoughtfulness or modesty rather than rudeness.
Usage
寡言 is a literary or formal term more common in written Chinese than casual conversation. It typically appears in character descriptions or formal assessments of personality. Often paired with 少语 to form 寡言少语 (very taciturn). Native speakers might use 话少 or 不爱说话 in everyday speech instead.
Examples
- 01他是个寡言的人，很少主动跟别人说话。, .He is a taciturn person who rarely initiates conversation with others.
- 02她平时寡言少语，但工作能力很强。, .She is usually very reticent, but her work ability is very strong.
Characters
Common collocations
- 寡言少语very taciturn, speaks very little
- 性格寡言taciturn personality
- 为人寡言taciturn by nature
Antonyms
Origin
寡 originally meant 'few' or 'lacking,' while 言 means 'words' or 'speech.' Together they literally mean 'few words,' forming a classical Chinese construction still used in modern Mandarin.