taciturne

Taciturne is a French adjective meaning reticent or inclined to silence; someone taciturne tends to speak little and to keep thoughts to themselves, often presenting a grave or reserved demeanor. It is typically used of people whose manner is quiet and introspective rather than boisterous or loquacious. The term can apply to both real people and fictional characters.

Etymology: Taciturne derives from Latin tacitus "silent," via Old French or Middle French, with the -urne suffix forming a personality descriptor. The English cognate is taciturn, but taciturne is the standard French form.

Usage: In contemporary French, taciturne carries a neutral to slightly negative nuance depending on context; it is a descriptive trait rather than a value judgment. It often appears in literary or formal prose and can describe phrases such as "un homme taciturne" or "une personnalité taciturne." It contrasts with "bavard" (talkative) or "loquace" (loquacious). Related terms include "réservé," "silencieux," and "muet," though muet implies an inability to speak rather than a voluntary choice.

See also: Reticent, reserved, silent. In English-language texts, the direct form taciturne is uncommon; the standard English term remains "taciturn," while taciturne may appear as a loanword in bilingual or literary contexts.