1.
silence; being silent
The state of not speaking or making any sound; refraining from expressing one's opinion or position. Often implies a deliberate or weighty silence rather than simply having nothing to say.
彼は沈黙を守った。
He kept silent.
長い沈黙の後、彼女がやっと口を開いた。
After a long silence, she finally spoke up.
政府がこの問題について沈黙しているのは不自然だと批判されている。
The government is being criticized for remaining silent on this issue.
USAGE:
沈黙 implies a heavier, more deliberate silence than simply being quiet (静か). It often suggests an intentional refusal to speak, an awkward pause, or a meaningful absence of words. As a する verb, 沈黙する means "to fall silent" or "to remain silent."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 沈黙を守る: to keep silent, to maintain silence
- 沈黙を破る: to break the silence
- 沈黙が続く: silence continues
- 重い沈黙: heavy silence
- 気まずい沈黙: awkward silence
- 沈黙は金: silence is golden (proverb)