calla
“calla” means “is quiet” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
is quiet, stays silent
Also: shuts up
📝 In Action
Ella calla siempre que su jefe habla.
A1She is quiet whenever her boss speaks.
Usted calla para escuchar la música.
A2You (formal) are quiet in order to listen to the music.
Be quiet!, Shut up!
Also: Silence!
📝 In Action
¡Calla, por favor! No puedo concentrarme.
A1Be quiet, please! I can't concentrate.
Cuando te dicen: '¡Calla!', significa que quieren que dejes de hablar inmediatamente.
A2When they tell you: 'Be quiet!', it means they want you to stop talking immediately.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: calla
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'calla' as a direct command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The verb *callar* comes from the Latin verb *calare*, which meant 'to let down' or 'to lower,' eventually evolving in Romance languages to mean lowering one's voice or stopping sound altogether.
First recorded: Medieval Latin
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'calla' and 'calle'?
'Calla' is the informal command ('tú') you use with friends or family to tell them to be quiet. 'Calle' is the formal command ('usted') used to show respect to someone you don't know well or someone in authority.
Is 'calla' rude?
It depends entirely on your tone and the person you are speaking to. Used alone, '¡Calla!' can be very rude, like 'Shut up!' But if you soften it with 'Calla, por favor' (Be quiet, please), it is much more polite.