lacking confidence when speaking; timid in speech
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadjective
lacking confidence or moral courage when speaking; unable to speak with conviction due to having taken favors or feeling guilty
Often used in the context of having received favors (吃人嘴软), implying that one cannot speak firmly against someone who has given them benefits.
Chī吃
rén人
zuǐ嘴
ruǎn软
，
ná拿
rén人
shǒu手
duǎn短
。
He who eats from others' mouths speaks softly; he who takes others' hands is short.
Tā他
ná拿
le了
gōng公
sī司
de的
jiǎng奖
jīn金
，
xiàn现
zài在
shuō说
huà话
zuǐ嘴
ruǎn软
，
bù不
gǎn敢
tí提
yì意
jiàn见
le了
。
He took the company bonus, so now he speaks softly and dares not voice his opinions.
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Nǐ你
yào要
shì是
méi没
ná拿
tā他
de的
qián钱
，
zěn怎
me么
huì会
zhè这
me么
zuǐ嘴
ruǎn软
？
If you hadn't taken his money, why would you be so soft-spoken?
Tā她
yī一
xiàng向
zuǐ嘴
ruǎn软
，
cóng从
bù不
gēn跟
rén人
zhēng争
lùn论
。
She has always been soft-spoken and never argues with anyone.