jat1 jin4 bat1 faat3一言不發一言不发
Jyutpingjat1 jin4 bat1 faat3
Yaleyāt yìhn bāt faat
Definition
To remain completely silent; not to say a single word.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite being used in daily speech to describe a deliberate choice to stay quiet. It implies a sense of gravity or tension, often suggesting that the person is withholding their thoughts or feelings rather than just being naturally quiet. It is most effective when describing a specific, noticeable period of silence during an interaction.
Examples
He remained silent all night, as if he had something on his mind.
Why have you been silent all day? Are you unhappy?
Related words
Common phrases
to remain silent throughout the whole process
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say someone is quiet, but it specifically describes an active refusal or decision to not speak in a situation where one might be expected to. Using it to describe someone who is just naturally introverted or shy sounds unnatural.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
