How to Say "hush" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “hush” is “cállate” — use 'cállate' when you want someone to be quiet in a familiar or informal setting, often playfully or when addressing children..
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cállate
Verb (Imperative)A2Informal
Use 'cállate' when you want someone to be quiet in a familiar or informal setting, often playfully or when addressing children.
Examples
¡Cállate, por favor! El bebé está durmiendo.
Be quiet, please! The baby is sleeping.
cállese
Verb (Imperative)B1Formal
Use 'cállese' when you need to tell someone to be quiet in a formal or very direct situation, showing respect for their age or status.
Examples
Señora, cállese por favor, no puedo escuchar las noticias.
Ma'am, please be quiet, I can't hear the news.
Choosing between 'cállate' and 'cállese'
The most common mistake is using the informal 'cállate' with someone you should address formally. Always consider your relationship with the person and the social context before deciding which imperative form to use.
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