Definition
默然 is a literary verb meaning 'to fall silent' or 'to be speechless', often used in written narratives to describe a person who becomes quiet due to emotion — sadness, shock, or deep thought. It's not a casual conversation word; you'll find it in novels, essays, and formal writing. The word is a stative verb (v.p.) and typically appears as a predicate or adverbial, e.g., 默然不语 ('silent and wordless') or 默然无语 ('silent without words').
v.p.
to fall silent (from emotion or reflection)speechlesssilent (in a literary or formal context)
Examples
- ，默然。Tīng wán zhège xiāoxi, tā mò rán bù yǔ.After hearing this news, he fell silent and didn't speak.
- 默然，。Tā mò rán de zuò zài chuāng qián, wàng zhe yuǎnfāng.She sat silently by the window, gazing into the distance.
- ，默然。Miàn duì zhìwèn, tā mò rán wú yǔ.Faced with the questioning, he was speechless.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.