Entry
しーん
shiin
Describes an absolute, dead silence without a single sound.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes a profound and complete lack of noise, often emphasizing an eerie, awkward, or palpable stillness.
- Deserted places
- Awkward silences
Sense Map
Deserted Places
Used to describe places that are completely silent, empty, and void of any sound.
夜の学校はしーんとしている。
Awkward Silence
A sudden silence caused by a shocking or awkward event, making everyone speechless.
みんなしーんと静まり返った。
Usage Note
How to Use
しーんとする
To fall dead silent (as a verb).
しーんとした + noun
Modifies a noun to mean a completely silent thing (e.g., room).
しーんと + verb
To do an action in absolute silence.
How to Use
Common Phrases
教室がしーんとする
the classroom falls dead silent
しーんとした部屋
a completely silent room
会場がしーんと静まり返る
the venue falls completely quiet
しーんと静まり返った夜
a dead silent night
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Empty environments | neutral | Simply states the objective absence of sound or activity. |
| Tense social situations | negative | Can imply an awkward or uncomfortable silence, such as after a bad joke or shocking news. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しんと しんと / similar | For a more objective, neutral quietness. | しーん emphasizes a deeper, longer, or more dramatic silence. | 会場がしんと静まり返る。 |
ひっそり ひっそり / similar | For quiet, deserted places with little activity. | It doesn't just mean soundless; it implies a lack of presence, people, or bustle. | ひっそりとした神社。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using "しーん" to describe a person's quiet personality.
Use おとなしい (otonashii) or 無口 (mukuchi) for a quiet personality. しーん is only for atmosphere.
Using "しーん" to ask someone to lower their voice volume.
"しーん" means absolute zero sound. Use 静かにする (shizuka ni suru) to mean "be quiet" or "lower the volume".
Examples
Examples
誰もいない部屋はしーんとしていた。
だれもいない へやは しーんとしていた。
The empty room was dead silent.
LiteralDescribes the complete absence of sound in an empty place.
彼の話を聞いて、みんなしーんとなった。
かれの はなしを きいて、 みんな しーんとなった。
Everyone went dead silent after hearing his story.
FigurativeShows an awkward or shocked silence within a group.
観客はしーんと静まり返っている。
かんきゃくは しーんと しずまりかえっている。
The audience has fallen completely silent.
LiteralEmphasizes that a large crowd of people is making zero noise.
辺りはシーンと静まり返っていた。
あたりは シーンと しずまりかえっていた。
The surroundings fell into a dead silence.
LiteralOften written in Katakana to emphasize the visual or dramatic effect of the silence.
先生が入ってくると、教室がしーんとした。
せんせいが はいってくると、 きょうしつが しーんとした。
When the teacher came in, the classroom fell silent.
LiteralIndicates a sudden change from noisy to completely quiet.
Similar Words
しんと
shinto
A state of complete and profound silence, often with a tense, solemn, or eerie undertone. Also means silent, but is more objective and shorter-lasting than しーん.
ひっそり
hissori
ひっそり describes a quiet and still state due to the absence of people, or a modest, inconspicuous way of living. Indicates a place is quiet due to a lack of human activity or bustle.
Questions
Is "しーん" commonly used in Japanese manga?
Yes, it is one of the most famous ways in manga to visually depict the "sound effect of silence."
Can I use "しーん" to describe a quiet person?
No, it is used to describe the atmosphere or environment. For a person's personality, use おとなしい (otonashii).
What is the difference between "しーん" and "静か" (shizuka)?
"静か" means quiet or soft, whereas "しーん" means absolute dead silence, where there is zero sound at all.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1631970
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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