Translation guide
How to express 'keep silent' in Japanese, covering staying quiet, not speaking, and withholding information.
The general act of remaining silent, not speaking or making sound.
The most common and natural way to say 'keep silent' or 'stay quiet'. It implies not speaking, often voluntarily.
会議中は黙っていてください。
Please keep silent during the meeting.
He kept silent without saying anything.
Literally 'be quiet', often used as a request or command. More about reducing noise than just not speaking.
図書館では静かにしてください。
Please keep silent in the library.
Formal/literary word for 'fall silent' or 'keep silence'. Often used in dramatic or written contexts.
彼は重い沈黙を守った。
He kept a heavy silence.
Choosing not to speak, especially when one could or wants to.
Literally 'shut one's mouth', meaning to refuse to speak or keep silent, often about a specific topic.
彼はその件については口を閉ざした。
He kept silent about that matter.
To fall completely silent, often suddenly or stubbornly. Implies a prolonged silence.
To refrain from saying something, to leave unsaid. Often used when you choose not to mention something.
本当のことは言わないでおいた。
I kept silent about the truth.
To not disclose something, to maintain confidentiality.
Literally 'protect a secret', the standard way to say 'keep a secret'.
彼は秘密を守ると約束した。
He promised to keep silent about the secret.
Same as above, but in context means 'keep silent about something'.
このことは誰にも黙っていてね。
Keep silent about this to everyone, okay?
Describes a person who is tight-lipped, able to keep secrets. Not an action but a trait.
彼は口が堅いから安心だ。
He keeps silent (is discreet), so I feel safe.
Directly telling someone to keep silent.
Casual command: 'Shut up' or 'Be quiet'. Can be rude depending on tone.
黙って！
Keep silent!
Politer command: 'Be quiet'. Used by teachers, in public announcements.
静かに！
Keep silent!
Polite prefix 'o' added. Often used in formal settings like theaters.
お静かにお願いします。
Please keep silent.
The English phrase 'keep silent' does not directly translate to a single Japanese verb. Use 黙っている or 静かにする depending on context. 'サイレントを保つ' is not natural Japanese.
黙っている focuses on not speaking, while 静かにする focuses on not making noise. Use 黙っている when someone is expected to speak but stays quiet; use 静かにする when you want a quiet environment.
彼女は怒って黙り込んでしまった。
She got angry and kept completely silent.