1.
taciturn, reticent, quiet
Speaking very little by nature. Describes a person who does not talk much, not because they are shy or upset, but as a personality trait.
父は寡黙な人だ。
My father is a taciturn person.
寡黙な職人が黙々と仕事をしている。
A taciturn craftsman is working silently.
彼は寡黙だが、いざという時には頼りになる。
He is quiet, but you can count on him when it matters.
USAGE:
寡黙 is typically used as a positive or neutral description. It often conveys a sense of quiet dignity or reliability, especially when describing men or craftsmen. In Japanese culture, being 寡黙 is sometimes admired as a sign of strength or depth.
COLLOCATIONS:
- 寡黙な人 — a taciturn person
- 寡黙な性格 — a quiet personality
- 寡黙な男 — a man of few words
SIMILAR WORDS:
無口 also means quiet or not talkative and is more common in everyday conversation. 寡黙 has a more literary or respectful nuance. Do not confuse with the homophone 科目 (subject, course), which has a completely different meaning.