tongue-tied; speechless; dumbfounded
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
tongue-tied; speechless; at a loss for words (due to guilt, fear, or shock)
Describes a state of being rendered speechless, typically because one is in the wrong, frightened, or caught off guard. Often used as a predicate or complement in sentences.
Tā他
bèi被
wèn问
de得
zhāng张
kǒu口
jié结
shé舌
，
dá答
bu不
shàng上
lái来
。
He was questioned until he was tongue-tied and couldn't answer.
Xiǎo小
tōu偷
bèi被
dāng当
chǎng场
zhuā抓
zhù住
，
xià吓
de得
zhāng张
kǒu口
jié结
shé舌
。
The thief was caught on the spot and was scared speechless.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Miàn面
duì对
lǎo老
shī师
de的
zhì质
wèn问
，
tā他
zhāng张
kǒu口
jié结
shé舌
，
wú无
yán言
yǐ以
duì对
。
Facing the teacher's questioning, he was tongue-tied and had nothing to say in reply.
Zhè这
gè个
tū突
rán然
de的
wèn问
tí题
ràng让
tā她
zhāng张
kǒu口
jié结
shé舌
，
yī一
shí时
bù不
zhī知
rú如
hé何
huí回
dá答
。
This sudden question left her dumbfounded, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.