callado
/ca-YA-do/
quiet
When describing a person, callado means quiet or silent.
callado(Adjective)
quiet
?describing a person or place
,reserved
?describing personality
silent
?state of being
,shy
?personality trait
📝 In Action
Mi hermana es muy callada en clase, pero habla mucho en casa.
A2My sister is very quiet/reserved in class, but she talks a lot at home.
El bosque estaba callado, solo se escuchaban los pájaros.
B1The forest was silent; only the birds could be heard.
Se quedó callado cuando le preguntaron por el dinero.
B2He remained silent when they asked him about the money.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Essential
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).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Callado vs. Silencioso
Mistake: "Using 'silencioso' to describe a person's reserved nature."
Correction: Use 'callado' for a person who is quiet or reserved ('una persona callada'). Use 'silencioso' for a room or thing that makes no noise ('una habitación silenciosa').
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Estar' vs. 'Ser'
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.
Used in verb phrases, callado translates to 'kept quiet' or 'remained silent'.
callado(Verb)
kept quiet
?used with 'haber' (to have)
,silenced
?result of the action 'to silence'
📝 In Action
El director ha callado todas las protestas.
B2The director has silenced all the protests.
Hemos callado la verdad para no herir a nadie.
B1We have kept quiet about the truth so as not to hurt anyone.
💡 Grammar Points
Forming Perfect Tenses
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).
Reflexive Use
The verb is often used reflexively: 'callarse' (to fall silent or shut up). Example: '¡Cállate!' (Shut up!).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: callado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'callado' to describe a permanent personality trait?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'callado' related to 'calle' (street)?
They are not related! 'Callado' comes from the verb 'callar' (to be silent). 'Calle' (street) comes from a different Latin root (*callis*), meaning a path or track. They sound similar but have different origins and meanings.
Can I use 'callado' to describe a book or a TV show?
Not usually. 'Callado' is best used for people or places. For objects, you would typically use 'silencioso' (silent) or 'mudo' (mute/silent, especially for films).