Definition
木讷 describes a person who is honest and sincere but slow in speech and not quick-witted in conversation. It carries a slightly old-fashioned, literary flavor and is often used with a neutral or mildly positive tone, implying simplicity rather than stupidity. Unlike the English 'dull', it does not suggest low intelligence — just a reserved, unglib manner.
s.v.
(of a person) honest but slow of speechinarticulate yet sincere
Examples
- ，木讷，。Tā píngshí huà bù duō, kàn qǐlái yǒudiǎn mù nè, qíshí xīnli shénme dōu míngbai.He doesn't talk much and seems a bit inarticulate, but actually he understands everything.
- 木讷，。Bié kàn tā wàibiǎo mù nè, xiě qǐ wénzhāng lái què hěn yǒu shēndù.Don't judge by his reserved appearance — when he writes, his essays are very profound.
- 木讷，，。Zhè wèi jiàoshòu wéirén mù nè, cóng bù kuākuā qí tán, dàn xuéshēng dōu hěn jìngzhòng tā.This professor is honest and slow of speech, never boastful, yet his students all respect him deeply.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.