Translation and Meaning of: 無口 - mukuchi

The word 「無口」, read as "mukuchi" in romaji, is composed of two kanji: 「無」 (mu) and 「口」 (kuchi). The kanji 「無」 means "without," "nothing," or "absent," indicating a lack or absence of something. The kanji 「口」 refers to "mouth" or, more broadly, "words" and "speech." Therefore, the etymology of 「無口」 comes from the combination of these ideas, suggesting someone who does not use their mouth frequently, or a person who speaks little.

「無口」 is commonly used to describe people of few words, often applying to introverted or reserved individuals. In a cultural context, it can be valued as a quality, representing wisdom or introspection. In other cases, it may indicate shyness or reluctance to share thoughts. This nuance causes the word to carry both a neutral and positive connotation, depending on the context of use.

This characteristic associated with being 「無口」 can be observed in various contexts and is contrasted with terms like 「饒舌」 (jōzetsu), which describes someone talkative or loquacious. Within Japanese culture, moderation in speech is often seen as a virtue, reflecting the importance of listening more than speaking, a value appreciated in many traditional societies.

Furthermore, the use of 「無口」 can be found in various forms of Japanese media, such as in anime and manga characters, who are described as taciturn or reserved, adding a layer of depth to their personalities. These characters often express intensity through actions rather than words, creating a lasting impression that resonates with the audience by demonstrating that silence can be as expressive as speech.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 寡黙 (kamoku) - Silence, reservation in communication.
• だんまり (danmari) - Silence, often used in a context of not responding or not intervening.
• 沈黙 (chinmoku) - Silence, a pause in speech, can be intentional or involuntary.
• 口数少ない (kuchikazusanai) - Few words refer to someone who speaks little or is reserved.

無口

Romaji: mukuchi
Kana: むくち
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: reticência

Meaning in English: reticence

Definition: I don't speak much, I don't speak much.

Example Sentences - (無口) mukuchi

See below some example sentences:

彼は無口な人です。

Kare wa mukuchi na hito desu

He is a quiet person.

He is a silent person.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 無口 - adjective that means "quiet" or "silent"
• な - particle connecting the adjective to the noun
• 人 - noun that means "person"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite form