Meaning
To stop talking or keep silent.
Cultural Background
Confucianism values 'Shin-dok' {愼獨|신독}, or being careful when alone, but also 'Gu-seol' {口舌|구설}, avoiding gossip. Keeping one's mouth shut was a sign of a 'Gun-ja' {君子|군자}, a virtuous man. In hierarchical Korean companies, junior employees are often expected to '입을 다물다' when a senior is speaking, even if they disagree, to maintain 'Hwa' {和|화} (harmony). The term 'Ham-gu-ryeong' {緘口令|함구령} (gag order) literally means 'an order to seal the mouth'. It is used when an organization forbids its members from talking to the press. Younger generations use 'Ip-deok' (not related to this phrase, but similar sounding) for joining a fandom, but they use 'Ip-bung' (mouth-shut) in gaming to tell someone to stop complaining in chat.
Command Caution
Never say '입 다물어' to someone older or in a higher position. It's a fast way to get into serious trouble.
Use '꾹' for Flavor
Adding '꾹' (firmly) before '다물다' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when describing a determined silence.
Meaning
To stop talking or keep silent.
Command Caution
Never say '입 다물어' to someone older or in a higher position. It's a fast way to get into serious trouble.
Use '꾹' for Flavor
Adding '꾹' (firmly) before '다물다' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when describing a determined silence.
Silence is Communication
In Korea, '입을 다물다' can be a very loud way of saying 'I am unhappy' or 'I disagree'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '입을 다물다'.
그는 너무 놀라서 (______) 수 없었다.
The phrase '입을 다물 수 없었다' is a set idiom for being so shocked you can't speak.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'He kept the secret'?
비밀을 지키기 위해 그는 어떻게 했나요?
'입을 다물다' means to keep quiet or keep a secret. '입을 열다' is the opposite (to start talking).
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
Situation: You are very angry and don't want to talk to your brother.
Silence is a common reaction to anger in Korean culture, described as '입을 다물다'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 왜 경찰한테 아무 말도 안 했어? B: 친구를 위해서 그냥 (______).
In the context of refusing to give information to the police, '입을 다물다' is the most idiomatic choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises그는 너무 놀라서 (______) 수 없었다.
The phrase '입을 다물 수 없었다' is a set idiom for being so shocked you can't speak.
비밀을 지키기 위해 그는 어떻게 했나요?
'입을 다물다' means to keep quiet or keep a secret. '입을 열다' is the opposite (to start talking).
Situation: You are very angry and don't want to talk to your brother.
Silence is a common reaction to anger in Korean culture, described as '입을 다물다'.
A: 왜 경찰한테 아무 말도 안 했어? B: 친구를 위해서 그냥 (______).
In the context of refusing to give information to the police, '입을 다물다' is the most idiomatic choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNot necessarily. It can describe someone being stoic or keeping a promise (positive), or someone being shocked (neutral).
Yes! '저는 입을 다물기로 했어요' (I decided to keep quiet) is very common.
'침묵하다' is more formal and academic. '입을 다물다' is more idiomatic and common in daily life.
There is no polite way to say 'Shut up', but you can say '조용히 해 주시겠어요?' (Could you please be quiet?).
Only descriptively. '그 회사는 입을 다물고 있습니다' (That company is staying silent). Don't use it as a command.
Related Phrases
입을 씻다
similarTo feign innocence after doing something wrong.
입이 무겁다
synonymTo be good at keeping secrets (literally: the mouth is heavy).
입을 열다
contrastTo start talking or reveal a secret.
침묵을 깨다
contrastTo break the silence.
