The characters literally combine to mean “deeply silent and few in words.” This paints a vivid picture of a person whose words are not just few, but come from a place of deep quietude.
In many Western cultures, particularly in the US, extroversion and talkativeness are often praised and associated with confidence and leadership. In contrast, traditional Chinese culture often holds a different view, encapsulated by the proverb “静水流深 (jìng shuǐ liú shēn)” — “still waters run deep.” 沉默寡言 (chénmò guǎyán) taps into this cultural value. A person described this way is not necessarily seen as shy, unfriendly, or lacking in confidence. Instead, they might be perceived as:
This contrasts with the English word “taciturn,” which can carry a slightly negative connotation of being stern, unfriendly, or even sullen. While 沉默寡言 can describe a stern person, it is more neutral and can often be a compliment, celebrating a person's calm and profound nature. It's more about being an introvert (内向, nèixiàng) than being antisocial.
This idiom is common in both written and spoken Chinese, though its four-character structure (Chengyu) gives it a slightly more formal or literary feel than simply saying “他不爱说话 (tā bù ài shuōhuà)” — “He doesn't like to talk.”