一言不发

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yī yán bù fā
• English Translation: Not to say a single word (to remain silent)
• Idiom Composition: 「一」（One or a single）＋「言」（Word or speech）＋「不」（Not (negation)）＋「发」（To emit, utter, or speak）
• Meaning: To not utter a single word. It describes a state of complete silence, often implying an underlying emotional or psychological reason such as anger, shock, or deep concentration.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「一言不发」 contains the following nuances:

• Absolute Silence: The use of 一言 (yī yán), meaning "a single word," combined with a strong negation emphasizes a total and thorough absence of speech.
• Emotional and Psychological Depth: This phrase is rarely used for a physical inability to speak. Instead, it highlights a choice or a psychological state driven by feelings like resentment, tension, or deep thought.

3. Usage

「一言不发」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Expressing Anger or Protest: Often used when someone chooses to remain silent as a way to show they are upset or to protest against someone else's words or actions.
  • Example:「面对无理的指责，他气得脸色铁青，一言不发。」
    （Facing the groundless accusations, he turned pale with rage and did not say a single word.）
• Tension or Heavy Atmosphere: Used to describe a tense environment, such as a meeting or a confrontation, where no one is willing to speak.
  • Example:「会议室里的气氛非常凝重，大家都低着头，一言不发。」
    （The atmosphere in the meeting room was very heavy; everyone kept their heads down and remained silent.）
• Sadness or Despair: Describes a state of being lost for words due to shock or deep sorrow.
  • Example:「听到这个噩耗，她坐在沙发上，一言不发地流着眼泪。」
    （Upon hearing the tragic news, she sat on the sofa and shed tears without saying a word.）

Additional Examples:

1. 父亲看完我的成绩单后，一言不发地回到了书房。
   （After my father finished looking at my report card, he went back to his study without saying a word.）
2. 虽然他一言不发，但我能感觉到他内心的坚定。
   （Although he didn't say a single word, I could feel the determination in his heart.）
3. 在这个问题上，由于立场敏感，双方代表都一言不发。
   （Due to the sensitive nature of the positions involved, representatives from both sides remained silent on this issue.）
4. 他只是静静地听着，一言不发，让人猜不透他在想什么。
   （He just listens quietly and doesn't say a word, making it impossible to guess what he is thinking.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Usage Scope: This is a very common expression used in both daily conversation and formal literature to describe a person's reaction.
• The Power of Silence: In Chinese culture, silence can be a powerful tool for expressing protest, deep respect, or careful consideration. Using 一言不发 (yī yán bù fā) emphasizes that the silence is intentional or a result of being overwhelmed by emotion.
• Origin: While examples can be found in Ming Dynasty literature such as Stories Old and New (喻世明言), it is considered a descriptive idiom formed by standard grammatical components rather than a specific historical fable.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 一声不吭 (yī shēng bù kēng): Not making a sound; this is more colloquial and often implies stubbornness or being in a bad mood.link
  • 沉默寡言 (chén mò guǎ yán): Taciturn or of few words; this refers to a person's general personality rather than a temporary state of silence.
  • 无声无息 (wú shēng wú xī): Without a sound or a trace.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 滔滔不绝 (tāo tāo bù jué): Talking like a flowing river; to speak non-stop and fluently.link
  • 喋喋不休 (dié dié bù xiū): To chatter on and on without stopping; often carries a negative nuance of being annoying or repetitive.
  • 七嘴八舌 (qī zuǐ bā shé): Many people talking at once, creating a noisy and confusing situation.link

6. Summary

一言不发 (yī yán bù fā) literally means "not emitting a single word." It is a common idiom used to describe someone who remains completely silent in a situation where speech might be expected. This silence is usually not accidental; it often conveys strong emotions like resentment, grief, or intense focus.