Japanese

くちをつぐむ
Meaning: to shut one's mouth; to fall silent; to keep quiet
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 口を噤む 口を噤まない
Polite 口を噤みます 口を噤みません
Past 口を噤んだ 口を噤まなかった
Polite + Past 口を噤みました 口を噤みませんでした
Te-form 口を噤んで 口を噤まなくて
Potential 口を噤める 口を噤めない
Passive 口を噤まれる 口を噤まれない
Causative 口を噤ませる 口を噤ませない
Causative + Passive 口を噤まされる 口を噤まされない
Imperative 口を噤め 口を噤むな

Handwriting

口
を
噤
む

Example

He knew the truth, but he kept his mouth shut to protect his family.

Usage Notes

An idiomatic expression meaning to stop speaking or refuse to speak about something.

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