cam4 zik6沉寂
Jyutpingcam4 zik6
Yalechàhm jihk
Definition
Very quiet and silent; or to become inactive and fade from attention.
- very quiet, with no sound to be heard
- inactive; quiet; faded from public view or attention
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Describes a state of profound stillness or a lack of activity that follows a period of noise or movement. It is often used to emphasize the contrast between a previous lively state and a sudden, eerie absence of sound or presence. While it can apply to physical environments, it is also frequently used to describe someone who has withdrawn from the public eye or social circles.
Examples
The whole house suddenly fell into silence.
He hasn't appeared for a long time, he has basically gone quiet.
Related words
Common phrases
a state of total silence
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 安靜, which is a neutral term for being quiet. 沉寂 carries a heavier, more dramatic tone, implying a sense of desolation or a complete cessation of activity rather than just a lack of noise.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
