A1 Idiom 中性

Pieturēt mēli

To hold the tongue

意思

To stay silent or keep a secret.

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文化背景

Latvians value 'klusēšana' (silence) as a sign of strength. There is a saying 'Runa sudrabs, klusēšana zelts' (Speech is silver, silence is gold). The history of surveillance in the 20th century made 'pieturēt mēli' a literal survival strategy for many families. In Riga's tech scene, 'pieturēt mēli' is often used regarding NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements). Many folk tales feature characters who fail because they cannot keep a secret, often involving magical creatures.

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Use it for surprises

This is the perfect phrase to use when planning a surprise party or gift.

⚠️

Don't say it to your boss

Unless you have a very close relationship, telling a superior to 'pieturi mēli' can sound rude.

意思

To stay silent or keep a secret.

💡

Use it for surprises

This is the perfect phrase to use when planning a surprise party or gift.

⚠️

Don't say it to your boss

Unless you have a very close relationship, telling a superior to 'pieturi mēli' can sound rude.

🎯

The 'Pie-' Prefix

Remember that 'pie-' often means 'a little bit' or 'temporarily' in Latvian. You are holding your tongue just for now!

自我测试

Fill in the correct form of the phrase.

Lūdzu, _________ mēli, tas ir noslēpums!

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: pieturi

The imperative form 'pieturi' is used for a direct command/request to one person.

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?

Select the natural sentence:

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Viņš pieturēja mēli un neko nepateica.

'Pieturēja mēli' is the standard idiom for staying silent.

Match the situation to the phrase.

You are at a surprise party and the birthday girl walks in. What should you have done?

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Pieturēt mēli

You should have kept the secret (held your tongue).

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Es tev pateikšu kaut ko svarīgu.' B: 'Labi, es apsolu _________.'

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: pieturēt mēli

B is promising to keep the important information a secret.

🎉 得分: /4

视觉学习工具

练习题库

4 练习
Fill in the correct form of the phrase. Fill Blank A1

Lūdzu, _________ mēli, tas ir noslēpums!

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: pieturi

The imperative form 'pieturi' is used for a direct command/request to one person.

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly? Choose A2

Select the natural sentence:

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Viņš pieturēja mēli un neko nepateica.

'Pieturēja mēli' is the standard idiom for staying silent.

Match the situation to the phrase. situation_matching A1

You are at a surprise party and the birthday girl walks in. What should you have done?

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Pieturēt mēli

You should have kept the secret (held your tongue).

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: 'Es tev pateikšu kaut ko svarīgu.' B: 'Labi, es apsolu _________.'

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: pieturēt mēli

B is promising to keep the important information a secret.

🎉 得分: /4

常见问题

4 个问题

It depends on the tone. It is generally neutral, but if shouted, it can be rude. It's similar to 'hold your tongue' in English.

It's better to use more formal language like 'lūdzu saglabāt šo informāciju konfidenciālu' in formal emails.

'Klusēt' just means to be silent. 'Pieturēt mēli' implies you have something you *could* say but are choosing not to.

You can say 'Es neprotu pieturēt mēli' or 'Es neprotu glabāt noslēpumus'.

相关表达

🔄

Turēt mēli aiz zobiem

synonym

To keep the tongue behind the teeth.

🔗

Iekost mēlē

similar

To bite one's tongue.

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Mēle niez

contrast

The tongue is itching.

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Palaist mēli

contrast

To let the tongue loose.

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