gwaa2 jin4寡言

Jyutpinggwaa2 jin4

Yalegwá yìhn

形容詞

Definition

Taciturn, quiet, or of few words; describing a person who seldom talks.

neutralpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Describes a personality trait rather than a temporary state of silence. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone, so it is more common in written descriptions or when discussing someone's character in a serious manner. In casual daily speech, people are much more likely to use 靜 or 唔鍾意講嘢.

Examples

keoi5佢ping4平si4時hou2好gwaa2寡jin4言，hou2好siu2少zyu2主dung6動wan2搵jan4人king1傾gai2偈。

He is usually very quiet and rarely takes the initiative to talk to people.

nei5你gok3覺dak1得keoi5佢hai6係mai6咪hou2好gwaa2寡jin4言aa4呀？

Do you think he is very quiet?

Common phrases

cam4沉mak6默gwaa2寡jin4言

taciturn and reserved

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply shy or currently not speaking due to a specific situation. It specifically refers to a habitual, reserved personality.