einsilbig

monosyllabic; uncommunicative

adjective EYN-zil-bikh Rare

Usage Note

Einsilbig literally means 'one-syllable' but is commonly used figuratively to describe someone who gives terse, minimal responses and seems unwilling to engage in real conversation.

Examples

"Auf meine Fragen antwortete er nur einsilbig."

Natural Translation

He only gave monosyllabic answers to my questions.

Literal Translation

To my questions he answered only monosyllabically.

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