assume a serious expression; become solemn
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to assume a serious expression; to become solemn
literaryA formal, literary term used to describe the act of putting away one's smile and adopting a stern or solemn expression, often in response to a serious matter or to show respect.
Tīng听
dào到
zhè这
ge个
huài坏
xiāo消
xi息
，
tā他
lì立
kè刻
liǎn敛
róng容
bù不
yǔ语
。
Upon hearing the bad news, he immediately became somber and fell silent.
Zài在
yán严
sù肃
de的
chǎng场
hé合
，
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
yào要
liǎn敛
róng容
zhèng正
sè色
。
In a solemn occasion, everyone must become serious and assume a grave expression.
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Lǎo老
jiāng将
jūn军
shuō说
qǐ起
dāng当
nián年
de的
zhàn战
yì役
，
shén神
sè色
dùn顿
shí时
liǎn敛
róng容
。
When the old general spoke of the battles of those years, his expression immediately turned grave.