Shut up
in SpanishCállate
/KAH-yah-teh/
This is the most direct and universally understood translation for 'shut up.' It's a strong, often rude command, so it should be used with extreme caution.
In most public situations, a simple gesture or a polite '¡Silencio, por favor!' is the right choice, not the aggressive '¡Cállate!'.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Cállese
/KAH-yeh-seh/
This is the formal version of 'cállate,' used when addressing someone with respect (usted). However, telling someone you respect to shut up is inherently disrespectful, making this a very tense and confrontational phrase.
¡Silencio!
/see-LEHN-see-oh/
A more neutral command meaning 'Silence!'. It's less personal and aggressive than 'cállate'.
Cierra la boca
/see-EH-rrah la BOH-kah/
Literally 'close your mouth,' this is a very blunt and rude command, often considered more aggressive than 'cállate'.
Cierra el pico
/see-EH-rrah el PEE-koh/
An even more vulgar version, translating to 'shut your beak.' 'Pico' means beak, so it's like calling someone a bird. It's highly offensive.
Guarda silencio
/GWAR-dah see-LEHN-see-oh/
Literally 'keep silence.' This is a slightly softer and more formal way to request quiet than just shouting '¡Silencio!'.
Ya basta
/yah BAH-stah/
Means 'That's enough.' While not a direct translation of 'shut up,' it's frequently used to make someone stop talking, complaining, or arguing.
¡Chitón!
/chee-TOHN/
A colloquial, almost onomatopoeic way to say 'Hush!' or 'Shush!'. It can be seen as childish or old-fashioned but is effective and less aggressive than 'cállate'.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing how to ask for quiet depends heavily on politeness and context. Here's a comparison of the most common options.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cállate | Informal / Rude | Arguments, or playfully telling a very close friend to stop talking. | With strangers, elders, authority figures, or in any professional or public setting. |
| Cállese | Formal / Very Rude | Confronting someone you'd normally call 'usted.' Extremely tense and aggressive. | In almost every situation. It's a relationship-damaging phrase. |
| ¡Silencio! | Neutral | Quieting a group, like a teacher in a class or a librarian. | When you need a softer, more personal request. It can sound a bit authoritarian. |
| Guarda silencio | Neutral / Formal | Formal requests for quiet, like in a court, church, or official ceremony. | In very casual settings, where it might sound overly stiff or formal. |
| ¿Puedes bajar la voz? | Informal / Polite | Politely asking a friend or peer to be quieter without causing offense. | In a formal setting where you should use 'puede' instead of 'puedes'. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The main challenge is the 'll' sound, which varies from a 'y' sound (most common) to a 'j' or 'sh' sound depending on the region.
It's a simple imperative command. The only grammatical complexity is remembering the informal (tú - cállate) vs. formal (usted - cállese) forms.
Extremely high cultural nuance. Knowing when and where (and if ever) to use this phrase is critical to avoid causing serious offense. This is its main difficulty.
Key Challenges:
- Knowing when it's socially acceptable (rarely)
- Distinguishing between playful and genuinely rude usage
- Mastering the polite alternatives for everyday situations
💡Examples in Action
¡Ay, ya cállate! Me estás dando dolor de cabeza.
Oh, just shut up! You're giving me a headache.
Señores, por favor, guarden silencio. La película va a comenzar.
Ladies and gentlemen, please, be quiet. The movie is about to start.
¡Silencio, clase! Abran sus libros en la página veinte.
Silence, class! Open your books to page twenty.
Estábamos discutiendo y me gritó: '¡Cierra la boca, no tienes idea de nada!'
We were arguing and he yelled at me: 'Shut your mouth, you have no idea about anything!'
🌍Cultural Context
A Warning on Directness
In English, 'shut up' can sometimes be used playfully. In Spanish, 'cállate' is almost always perceived as genuinely rude and aggressive. Using it with strangers or elders is a major social mistake and can start a serious conflict.
Context is Everything
The only 'safe' context to use 'cállate' is with very close friends or family who understand your tone. A playful '¡ay, cállate!' among friends who are teasing each other is common, but the line is thin. When in doubt, always choose a polite alternative.
The Power of 'Por Favor'
Adding 'por favor' (please) can soften a command. 'Cállate, por favor' is still a very tense phrase, like 'Please, just shut up.' However, 'Silencio, por favor' is a perfectly polite and normal way to ask a group to be quiet.
Polite Alternatives are Key
Spanish speakers often prefer less direct ways to ask for quiet. Phrases like '¿Podemos hablar un poco más bajo?' (Can we speak a little more quietly?) or 'Perdona, me cuesta concentrarme' (Excuse me, it's hard for me to concentrate) are much more common and socially acceptable.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Cállate' Instead of 'Be Quiet'
Mistake: "A learner in a library says '¡Cállate!' to people talking nearby."
Correction: Use 'Disculpen, ¿podrían guardar silencio?' or simply '¡Shhh!'.
Wrong Formality: 'Cállate' vs. 'Cállese'
Mistake: "An employee says '¡Cállate!' to their boss in an argument."
Correction: First, you should never say this to a boss. But if you did, it would have to be 'cállese.'
Confusing Tone
Mistake: "Saying 'cállate' with a smile, thinking it will be interpreted as a joke by a new acquaintance."
Correction: Avoid the phrase entirely until you know someone very well.
💡Pro Tips
Reserve It for Anger or Playful Jabs
Only use 'cállate' in two scenarios: when you are genuinely angry and want to escalate a conflict, or when you are playfully teasing a very close friend who understands your humor. There is very little middle ground.
Learn the Polite Alternatives First
Before you even think about using 'cállate,' master the polite ways to ask for quiet. 'Silencio, por favor,' '¿Puedes bajar la voz?', and 'Guarden silencio' will serve you in 99% of situations without causing offense.
Observe Native Speakers
Pay close attention to how and when native speakers use 'cállate' with each other in movies or real life. Notice their tone of voice, their relationship, and the situation. This will give you a much better feel for its cultural weight.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
'Cierra el pico' is particularly common and harsh in Spain. The general threshold for directness can be higher than in some Latin American countries, but 'cállate' is still a very strong word.
Mexico
The playful use of 'cállate wey' among young male friends is very common. '¡Chitón!' is a well-known, softer alternative popularized by television.
Argentina
The 'sh' pronunciation is the most notable feature. The informal command form is also different ('callate' or 'calláte' instead of 'cállate'). The general tone can be very direct, and they have some of the most vulgar alternatives in the Spanish-speaking world.
💬What Comes Next?
After you tell someone '¡Cállate!' in anger
¿Qué te pasa? / ¿A ti qué te pasa?
What's wrong with you? / What's your problem?
Estoy harto de oírte. / No quiero hablar de esto.
I'm sick of hearing you. / I don't want to talk about this.
After you say '¡Cállate!'
No me hables así.
Don't talk to me like that.
Pues, no me provoques.
Well, don't provoke me.
After you politely ask for quiet ('Silencio, por favor.')
Ah, perdón. / Disculpa.
Oh, sorry. / Excuse me.
Gracias.
Thank you.
🧠Memory Tricks
The similar sound and the image of wanting quiet on a peaceful lake can help you remember the pronunciation and basic meaning of the command.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the perceived level of aggression. In English, 'shut up' can range from a playful exclamation ('Shut up, you got the tickets?!') to a mild command. In Spanish, 'cállate' lacks this playful, positive range and lands squarely in the 'rude command' category. It's a heavier, more confrontational phrase that should not be used lightly.
Spanish commands can be very direct, but 'cállate' is at the extreme end of the spectrum. It is far more direct and insulting than its English counterpart in most contexts. Culturally, it's often more appropriate to use an indirect question ('¿Podríamos hablar más bajo?') than a direct command for quiet.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: 'Be quiet' is a neutral, often polite request for silence. 'Cállate' is a rude, personal command to an individual to stop talking.
Use instead: Use 'Silencio' or 'Guarda silencio' for 'be quiet.' Use 'Cállate' only when you intend to be rude or are very familiar with the person.
🎬In Popular Culture
El Chavo del Ocho / Chespirito
by Roberto Gómez Bolaños
Characters, particularly Professor Jirafales or Doña Florinda, would often say this emphatically to quiet down others, especially children, during a chaotic moment.
Why it matters: This show made '¡Chitón!' a widely recognized and somewhat comical way to say 'hush!' or 'quiet!' across Latin America, associating it with a lighter, more family-friendly context than 'cállate'.
📺 Clips are widely available on YouTube.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'Be quiet, please'
This is the polite alternative you should use in almost every situation where you might think of using 'shut up'.
How to say 'Leave me alone'
This is another common command for when you're annoyed and want someone to stop bothering you, often used in similar contexts as 'shut up'.
How to say 'That's enough'
'Ya basta' is a versatile phrase used to stop someone from talking or doing something annoying, making it a useful and less aggressive alternative.
How to say 'I'm kidding'
If you do risk using 'cállate' playfully, you absolutely need to know how to immediately clarify that you are joking.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Shut up
Question 1 of 3
You're in a quiet study hall and two people near you are talking loudly. What is the most appropriate thing to say?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cállate' always a rude word?
Almost always, yes. Its primary meaning is an aggressive command. The only exception is in very specific, informal contexts between close friends or family who understand it's meant playfully. When in doubt, assume it's rude and don't use it.
What's the difference between 'cállate' and 'cállese'?
'Cállate' is the informal 'tú' command you use with friends, peers, and children. 'Cállese' is the formal 'usted' command for strangers, elders, and authority figures. Using a rude command with someone you're supposed to respect makes 'cállese' an incredibly tense and confrontational phrase.
So how do I politely ask someone to be quiet?
The best way is with a polite question. 'Disculpe, ¿puede(n) hablar más bajo, por favor?' (Excuse me, can you speak more quietly, please?) is perfect. For groups, 'Silencio, por favor' or 'Guarden silencio, por favor' are also excellent choices.
What does 'cállate la boca' mean? Is it worse?
It means 'shut your mouth' and yes, it is generally considered worse. Adding 'la boca' (the mouth) makes the command more graphic and aggressive. It's a way to intensify the insult.
Can I say 'cállate' to my children?
Many parents do, but it's considered a harsh way to speak to a child, similar to yelling 'Shut up!' in English. Many parenting experts would advise using softer phrases like 'Silencio, mi amor' (Quiet, my love) or 'Vamos a usar nuestra voz bajita' (Let's use our quiet voice).
Are there any funny or slang ways to say 'shut up'?
Yes, but they are very regional. In Spain, someone might say 'Al loro', which means 'be quiet and pay attention'. In Mexico, '¡Chitón!' is a well-known comical version. However, these are nuances you should only try to use after you've spent a lot of time with native speakers from that specific region.
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