Japanese

をつぐむ

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

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 口をつぐむ 口をつぐまない
Polite 口をつぐみます 口をつぐみません
Past 口をつぐんだ 口をつぐまなかった
Polite + Past 口をつぐみました 口をつぐみませんでした
Te-form 口をつぐんで 口をつぐまなくて
Potential 口をつぐめる 口をつぐめない
Passive 口をつぐまれる 口をつぐまれない
Causative 口をつぐませる 口をつぐませない
Causative + Passive 口をつぐまされる 口をつぐまされない
Imperative 口をつぐめ 口をつぐむな

Handwriting

口
を
つ
ぐ
む

Example

He fell silent in response to that question.

Usage Notes

Refers to intentionally stopping talking or refusing to speak, often due to secrecy, guilt, or hesitation.

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