訥 (nè) - Slow of speech & inarticulate

訥Tone 4

nè ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

楠念

訥 · nè

Slow of speech;

inarticulate;

tongue-tied;

refers to someone who speaks with difficulty or is not eloquent.

Slow of speechinarticulatetongue-tied

Usage highlights

Slow of speechTongueHesitant in speechInarticulate but honestSimple and unadorned speechSlow to speak, quick to act

Synonyms

  • 拙— clumsy; awkward (in speech or action)
  • 钝— dull; blunt (mentally or verbally)

Antonyms

  • 辩— eloquent; disputatious
  • 敏— quick; agile (in speech or thought)
  • 捷— nimble; prompt (in response)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is honest but slow of speech (木讷).
  • She speaks with a slight stammer (口讷).
  • The witness was hesitant in his testimony (讷于言).
  • A person of few words but sincere heart (讷直).

Collocations

  • Slow of speech(木讷)
  • Tongue-tied(口讷)
  • Hesitant in speech(讷于言)
  • Inarticulate but honest(讷直)
  • Simple and unadorned speech(讷朴)
  • Slow to speak, quick to act(讷言敏行)

Idioms

  • Slow in speech but quick in action(讷言敏行)
  • Honest though slow of speech(刚毅木讷)
  • Simple and unadorned in speech(讷口少言)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian philosophy, being 'slow in speech' (讷) is often praised as a virtue, associated with caution, sincerity, and thoughtfulness before speaking.
  • The character embodies the ideal of valuing substance over eloquence, where careful consideration is preferred to glib talk.
  • Traditionally linked to the concept that a virtuous person speaks little but acts decisively (讷言敏行).

FAQ