Definition
默不作声 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that means 'to remain silent' or 'to not say a word'. It's more formal and literary than simply 不说话, often used when someone deliberately stays quiet in a situation where speaking is expected or possible. You'll see it in narrative writing and formal speech to describe a person or group that chooses not to speak.
f.e.
to remain silentto not say a word
Examples
- ,默不作声。Dàjiā dōu zài tǎolùn, tā què mò bú.Everyone was discussing, but he remained silent.
- ,默不作声。Miàn duì lǎoshī de tíwèn, tā mò bú.Facing the teacher's question, he remained silent.
- ,默不作声。Jǐnguǎn shòudào pīpíng, tā réngrán mò bú.Despite being criticized, she still remained silent.
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