Callado vs. Silencioso

As an adjective, 'callado' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'el niño callado' (m), 'la niña callada' (f), 'los niños callados' (plural m).

Agreement is Essential

Use 'ser' (es callado) for someone who is generally reserved. Use 'estar' (está callado) for someone who is currently silent or being quiet at that moment.

Using 'Estar' vs. 'Ser'

Extremely common way to describe a person who is quiet, reserved, or a place that is silent.

The form 'callado' is used with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create compound tenses, describing an action that has finished. Example: 'Yo he callado' (I have kept quiet).

Forming Perfect Tenses

The verb is often used reflexively: 'callarse' (to fall silent or shut up). Example: '¡Cállate!' (Shut up!).

Reflexive Use

This is the past participle form of the verb 'callar' (to silence/to shut up), used to build perfect tenses.

'Callado' is a common Spanish word meaning 'quiet' or 'reserved' (adjective), and it is also the past participle of the verb 'callar' (to silence or keep quiet). Learn its forms and usage.

callar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations