cam4 mak6沈默
Jyutpingcam4 mak6
Yalechàhm mahk
Definition
Silent, quiet, or taciturn; to keep silent.
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How it's used
While 沈默 is used in formal writing, Cantonese speakers often prefer the four character idiom 沈默寡言 to describe someone who is naturally quiet. In casual speech, simply saying 唔講嘢 or 靜係度 is much more common than using the formal noun or adjective 沈默. Using it in daily conversation can sound slightly dramatic or literary.
Examples
He is always silent and reserved, rarely speaking.
Why have you been silent for so long?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake 沈默 for a verb meaning to keep quiet, but it functions primarily as a noun or an adjective. If you want to tell someone to be quiet, use 靜啲 or 唔好嘈 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
