cállese
KAH-yeh-seh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Señora, cállese por favor, no puedo escuchar las noticias.
B1Ma'am, please be quiet, I can't hear the news.
El guardia gritó: '¡Cállese y muévase!'
B2The guard shouted: 'Shut up and move!'
Si no tiene nada bueno que decir, cállese.
B1If you have nothing good to say, be quiet.
💡 Grammar Points
The Formal Command + Pronoun
This word is the single-word formal command for 'you (singular, formal)' to be quiet. The command form of the verb (calle) is merged with the pronoun (se). This is why it has an accent mark on the third-to-last syllable.
The Accent Mark Rule
When you attach a pronoun (like se) to a command, the original stress of the verb must be kept. Since adding 'se' makes the word longer, you need an accent mark (cá-lle-se) to keep the stress on the first syllable.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Formality with Politeness
Mistake: "Using 'cállese' when you want to be truly polite."
Correction: Even though 'cállese' uses the formal 'usted' form, it is a very harsh command. For politeness, say 'Silencio, por favor' or '¿Podría guardar silencio?'
⭐ Usage Tips
When to use 'Cállese'
Reserve 'cállese' for high-stress situations, arguments, or when you are intentionally being aggressive or authoritative. Use 'cállate' for informal, aggressive commands.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cállese
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the equivalent of 'cállese' for a friend?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'cállese' have an accent mark?
The accent mark is there because the word is a combination of the command form (*calle*) and the pronoun (*se*). The stress needs to stay on the first syllable (CÁ-lle-se). If you didn't include the accent, the stress would incorrectly fall on the second syllable.
If 'cállese' uses the formal 'usted' form, why is it considered rude?
In Spanish, using the formal 'usted' simply indicates respect for distance or age, not necessarily politeness. The verb 'callar' is a very direct order, making it inherently harsh, regardless of the formality of the address. It's like saying 'Be silent, sir!' in English—it's still a demand.