默

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

犬 (dog; animal) — semantic component, in early character formation, often marks instinctive or behavioral states, not only animals;

黑 (black; dark) — phonetic component, supplies the sound "muk / mò" and contributes the idea of darkness, obscurity, or concealment.

The structure suggests a state hidden in darkness, metaphorically expressing silence and unspoken presence.

Originally meant to remain silent, especially:

- not responding verbally

- refraining from speech despite awareness

The sense is not merely absence of sound, but intentional quietness.

Meanings expanded from physical silence to social and ethical domains:

- silence — no speech; quiet state;

- tacit behavior — not expressing approval or objection;

- unspoken consent — agreeing or acknowledging without words;

- inner contemplation — quiet endurance or reflection.

Thus, 默 bridges soundlessness and intentional restraint.

침묵 (沈默 / 沉默) — silence

묵인 (默認) — tacit approval

묵살 (默殺) — to ignore deliberately

默 emphasizes intentional silence, not inability to speak. It may imply pressure, reflection, consent, or resistance, depending on context.

Often contrasted with:

言 — speech

語 — language; talk

Related characters:

言 — speech

語 — language

靜 — quiet; still

忍 — endure silently

隱 — hide; conceal

Among these, 默 encodes silence as an active choice, not mere absence. It often carries moral or psychological weight, unlike neutral quietness (靜).

Classical / literary usage:

默而不言 — “Silent and saying nothing”

衆人默然 — “All were silent”