# 三缄其口

sān jiān qí kǒu

Remain deliberately tight-lipped

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Seal the mouth three times

**Traditional Chinese:** 三緘其口

**Register:** Cautious · formal

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe refusing or being reluctant to speak.

Silence does not itself establish guilt.

## Understanding the expression

Repeated sealing makes the silence seem firm and deliberate rather than accidental. Modern use describes someone avoiding a topic, keeping a secret, or declining to comment. The reason may be caution, privacy, loyalty, or fear. It can sound critical when an answer is needed, but respectful when confidentiality matters. The phrase reports withholding speech; it does not reveal which explanation is true, so listeners should avoid treating silence as proof of wrongdoing.

## Examples

问到合同细节，他三缄其口。

### Traditional Chinese

問到合同細節，他三緘其口。

wèn dào hé tong xì jié ， tā sān jiān qí kǒu 。

Asked about contract details, he remained tight lipped.

她对朋友的隐私三缄其口。

### Traditional Chinese

她對朋友的隱私三緘其口。

tā duì péng yǒu de yǐn sī sān jiān qí kǒu 。

She keeps silent about her friend's private life.

调查期间，负责人三缄其口。

### Traditional Chinese

調查期間，負責人三緘其口。

diào chá qī jiān ， fù zé rén sān jiān qí kǒu 。

The person responsible declined comment during the investigation.

他不再三缄其口，终于解释了原因。

### Traditional Chinese

他不再三緘其口，終於解釋了原因。

tā bú zài sān jiān qí kǒu ， zhōng yú jiě shì le yuán yīn 。

He stopped withholding comment and explained the reason.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%89%E7%B7%98%E5%85%B6%E5%8F%A3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=341&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [三教九流 sān jiào jiǔ liú People from many walks of life ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/san-jiao-jiu-liu)

- [三令五申 sān lìng wǔ shēn Give repeated, explicit orders or warnings ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/san-ling-wu-shen)

- [三言两语 sān yán liǎng yǔ In just a few words ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/san-yan-liang-yu)

- [色厉内荏 sè lì nèi rěn Look fierce while inwardly weak ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/se-li-nei-ren)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 三顾茅庐 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/san-gu-mao-lu) [Next idiom 三教九流 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/san-jiao-jiu-liu)