im lịm
Definition
- Adjective:
- Completely silent, keeping one's mouth shut: Describes a state of absolute silence, often implying a deliberate choice not to speak or make any sound, keeping something secret.
- Tight-lipped, secretive: Refers to a manner of not revealing information, thoughts, or feelings to others.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cậu ấy ngồi im lịm suốt buổi họp. (He sat completely silent throughout the meeting.)
- Bí mật đó, cô ấy giữ im lịm không nói với ai. (Regarding that secret, she kept it completely to herself and didn't tell anyone.)
Advanced Usage
- "im lịm như tượng": as silent as a statue; used to emphasize extreme stillness and silence.
- Nghe tin đó, anh ta đứng im lịm như tượng. (Upon hearing that news, he stood as silent as a statue.)
- "giữ im lịm": to keep (something) completely quiet/secret.
- Mọi người quyết định giữ im lịm về sự việc. (Everyone decided to keep the incident completely under wraps.)
Variants and Related Words
- Im ắng (adj): quiet, silent (often describing an atmosphere or place).
- Căn phòng trở nên im ắng. (The room became quiet.)
- Im thin thít (adj): very quiet, not making a peep (similar to "im lịm" but can sound more informal or childish).
- Đứa trẻ ngồi im thin thít. (The child sat very quietly, not making a peep.)
Synonyms
- Lặng thinh: to fall silent, to say nothing.
- Nín thinh: to keep quiet, to hold one's tongue.
- Bí mật (adj/adv): secret, secretly (focuses more on the concealed nature of information).
Related Phrases
- "Câm như hến" (Idiom): (to be) as mute as a clam; describes someone who refuses to speak.
- Bị tra hỏi, nó cứ câm như hến. (When interrogated, he remained as mute as a clam.)
- "Không hé răng" (Phrase): to not utter a word; to not open one's mouth.
- Nó hứa sẽ không hé răng nửa lời. (He promised he wouldn't utter a single word.)