沈黙

• Reading: ちんもく
• Romaji: chinmoku
• Kanji breakdown: 沈 (chin) — sink, submerge; 黙 (moku) — silence, be quiet
• Pronunciation: /tɕiɴ.mo.kɯ/

Meaning

Silence; the state of being quiet and not speaking. Hush.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (沈黙する, to fall silent). Carries a heavier, more deliberate connotation than simply being quiet — it implies a meaningful, often tense or solemn silence. Famously used as the title of Endou Shuusaku's novel 沈黙 (Silence, 1966). Also appears in the expression 沈黙は金 (silence is golden).

Examples

1. 会議室に重い沈黙が流れた。 A heavy silence fell over the conference room.
2. 彼は質問に対して沈黙を守った。 He kept silent in response to the question.
3. 沈黙は金ということわざがある。 There is a proverb that says silence is golden.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, communication, meetings, interpersonal

Tone: solemn

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 沈 (chin, to sink/be submerged) + 黙 (moku, to be silent). Literally 'to sink into silence,' evoking the image of sound sinking away and disappearing.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal