A1 Idiom 中性

口が重い

kuchi ga omoi

Reluctant to speak

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this to describe someone who is quiet, reserved, or hesitant to share information.

  • Means: To be disinclined to talk or share information.
  • Used in: Describing shy people or those who keep secrets.
  • Don't confuse: It is not the same as being physically unable to speak.
🤐 (Zipper mouth) + 🐢 (Slow/Reserved) = {口|くち}が{重|おも}い

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means someone is quiet. You use it when a person does not talk much. It is a simple way to describe a personality.
Use this idiom to describe someone who is reserved or hesitant to speak. It is common in daily life when talking about friends or colleagues who are not very talkative.
This idiom characterizes individuals who are disinclined to share information or engage in small talk. It implies a psychological 'heaviness' that prevents speech, often used to describe introverts or those being cautious with their words.
The phrase denotes a communicative reluctance. It is frequently employed in professional or investigative contexts to describe individuals who are guarded or unwilling to divulge sensitive information, contrasting with those who are forthcoming.
Linguistically, this idiom functions as a metaphorical descriptor of communicative reticence. It captures the nuance of a person whose internal threshold for verbal expression is high, often implying a deliberate choice to withhold information or a natural disposition toward introspection.
This idiom serves as a cultural marker of the Japanese communicative paradigm, where verbal economy is prioritized. It encapsulates the intersection of personality trait and social strategy, describing a subject whose oral output is constrained by either temperament or strategic caution, reflecting the 'less is more' ethos.

意思

To be disinclined to talk or share information.

🌍

文化背景

Silence is often seen as a sign of thoughtfulness. Being quiet is sometimes seen as a lack of confidence.

💡

Context is key

Always check if you are describing a personality or a specific situation.

意思

To be disinclined to talk or share information.

💡

Context is key

Always check if you are describing a personality or a specific situation.

自我测试

Which sentence correctly uses the idiom?

A) {彼|かれ}は{口|くち}が{重|おも}いので、{秘密|ひみつ}を{守|まも}れる。 B) {彼|かれ}は{口|くち}が{重|おも}いので、{風邪|かぜ}を{引|ひ}いている。

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： A

A is correct because it describes personality. B is wrong because it implies a medical condition.

🎉 得分： /1

视觉学习工具

常见问题

1 个问题

Not necessarily, but be careful with your tone.

相关表达

🔗

{口|くち}が{軽|かる}い

contrast

Talkative/Gossip

🔗

{口|くち}が{固|かた}い

similar

Good at keeping secrets

在哪里用

💼

Office Meeting

Boss: Why is Sato-san so quiet?

Colleague: {彼|かれ}は{口|くち}が{重|おも}いだけですよ。

neutral
👮

Police Interview

Detective: The suspect won't talk.

Officer: {容疑者|ようぎしゃ}は{口|くち}が{重|おも}いですね。

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a giant, heavy stone sitting on someone's lips, making it impossible to open their mouth.

Visual Association

A person sitting in a library with a giant, heavy padlock on their mouth.

Story

Tanaka-san is a mystery. He sits in the corner of the office. Everyone asks him questions, but he just nods. His mouth is so heavy, he barely speaks a word all day.

Word Web

{無口|むくち}{寡黙|かもく}{口|くち}が{固|かた}い{秘密|ひみつ}{性格|せいかく}{慎重|しんちょう}

挑战

Try to describe three people you know using this phrase today.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Ser callado

Japanese uses a metaphor (heavy), Spanish uses a direct adjective.

French moderate

Être taciturne

The French term is a formal adjective, not a common idiom.

German high

Nicht viel reden

German prefers direct description over metaphorical idioms.

Japanese n/a

{口|くち}が{重|おも}い

It is a culturally specific metaphor.

Arabic moderate

قليل الكلام

Arabic focuses on the quantity of speech, not the physical effort.

Easily Confused

口が重い 对比 {口|くち}が{軽|かる}い

Learners mix up 'heavy' and 'light'.

Heavy = quiet, Light = gossipy.

常见问题 (1)

Not necessarily, but be careful with your tone.

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