Inklingo

How to Say "quiet" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “quiet” is “tranquilo” — use 'tranquilo' to describe a place like a street or town that is peaceful and not busy, or a person who is calm and easy-going..

tranquilo🔊A1

Use 'tranquilo' to describe a place like a street or town that is peaceful and not busy, or a person who is calm and easy-going.

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silencioso🔊A2

Use 'silencioso' to describe someone or something that makes very little or no noise, like a quiet person, a quiet animal, or a quiet appliance.

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calmado🔊A2

Use 'calmado' to describe a person, animal, or even nature (like the sea or weather) that is not agitated, excited, or disturbed.

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callado🔊A2

Use 'callado' to describe a person who tends to be reserved and doesn't speak much, or a place that is not noisy.

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silencio🔊A2

Use 'silencio' to refer to the state or absence of noise, a period of quietness.

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calma🔊A2

Use 'calma' to describe a state of peace, tranquility, and absence of disturbance or excitement.

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reservado🔊B2

Use 'reservado' to describe a person who is not openly expressive or talkative, preferring to keep their thoughts and feelings private.

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bajo🔊A1

Use 'bajo' specifically to describe a low volume of sound or a quiet voice.

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quietos🔊A1

Use 'quietos' (plural form of 'quieto') to describe people or things that are physically still and not moving or making noise.

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quedo🔊C1

Use 'quedo' to describe a deep, profound silence or stillness, often implying a lack of any sound whatsoever.

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English → Spanish

tranquilo

/tran-KEE-loh//tɾaŋ'kilo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'tranquilo' to describe a place like a street or town that is peaceful and not busy, or a person who is calm and easy-going.
A relaxed man peacefully resting in a bright red hammock strung between two palm trees on a quiet, sunny beach.

Examples

Me gusta vivir en un barrio tranquilo.

I like living in a quiet neighborhood.

Mi abuelo es un hombre muy tranquilo.

My grandfather is a very calm/easy-going man.

Este es un barrio tranquilo por la noche.

This is a quiet neighborhood at night.

Después del examen, me siento más tranquilo.

After the exam, I feel more calm.

Matching Endings: tranquilo vs. tranquila

This word changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'tranquilo' for masculine things (un día tranquilo) and 'tranquila' for feminine things (una persona tranquila).

Describing Personality vs. Feeling: 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

Use 'ser tranquilo' to talk about someone's general personality (He is a calm person). Use 'estar tranquilo' to describe how someone feels right now (He is calm at the moment).

Forgetting to change the ending

Mistake: “La ciudad es muy tranquilo por la mañana.”

Correction: La ciudad es muy tranquila por la mañana. Because 'ciudad' (city) is a feminine word, the adjective describing it must also end in '-a'.

silencioso

see-len-SYOH-soh/silenˈθjoso/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'silencioso' to describe someone or something that makes very little or no noise, like a quiet person, a quiet animal, or a quiet appliance.
A fluffy cat sitting peacefully on a soft rug in a quiet library filled with books.

Examples

El nuevo coche es muy silencioso.

The new car is very quiet.

Mi gato es muy silencioso cuando camina.

My cat is very quiet when he walks.

Buscamos un hotel en una calle silenciosa.

We are looking for a hotel on a quiet street.

El nuevo motor es totalmente silencioso.

The new engine is completely noiseless.

Matching the Ending

Remember to change the ending to match what you are describing: 'un coche silencioso' (a quiet car) but 'una casa silenciosa' (a quiet house).

Personality vs. Current State

Use the verb 'ser' (to be) if someone is naturally a quiet person, and 'estar' (to be) if they are just being quiet at this moment.

Quiet vs. Calm

Mistake: “Using 'silencioso' for a person's mood.”

Correction: Use 'tranquilo' for 'calm.' Use 'silencioso' specifically for the lack of sound or talking.

calmado

/kal-MAH-doh//kalˈmaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'calmado' to describe a person, animal, or even nature (like the sea or weather) that is not agitated, excited, or disturbed.
A peaceful lake with perfectly still water reflecting a clear blue sky and a single green tree on the shore.

Examples

El perro está muy calmado después del paseo.

The dog is very calm after the walk.

Hoy el mar está muy calmado.

The sea is very calm today.

Mi hermano es un chico muy calmado.

My brother is a very quiet/calm boy.

Mantente calmado, todo va a salir bien.

Stay calm, everything is going to be fine.

Changing the Ending

Since this word describes something, it needs to match the gender of the noun. Use 'calmado' for masculine things (el niño) and 'calmada' for feminine things (la niña).

Ser vs. Estar

Mistake: “Using 'soy calmado' when you mean you feel calm right now.”

Correction: Use 'estoy calmado' for how you feel in the moment, and 'soy calmado' to describe your permanent personality.

callado

/ca-YA-do//kaˈʎaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'callado' to describe a person who tends to be reserved and doesn't speak much, or a place that is not noisy.
A drawing of a child sitting calmly, pressing a finger vertically to their lips to signal silence in a serene setting.

Examples

Mi vecino es un hombre muy callado.

My neighbor is a very quiet/reserved man.

Mi hermana es muy callada en clase, pero habla mucho en casa.

My sister is very quiet/reserved in class, but she talks a lot at home.

El bosque estaba callado, solo se escuchaban los pájaros.

The forest was silent; only the birds could be heard.

Se quedó callado cuando le preguntaron por el dinero.

He remained silent when they asked him about the money.

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).

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').

silencio

/see-LEN-syo//siˈlen.sjo/

nounA2general
Use 'silencio' to refer to the state or absence of noise, a period of quietness.
A tranquil scene of a perfectly still lake reflecting the moon and stars, emphasizing the absence of sound and movement.

Examples

Disfruto del silencio de la biblioteca.

I enjoy the silence of the library.

Me gusta el silencio de la mañana.

I like the silence of the morning.

Hubo un silencio incómodo después de su comentario.

There was an awkward silence after his comment.

El profesor pidió silencio a los estudiantes.

The teacher asked the students for silence.

It's a Masculine Word

Even though it doesn't describe a male person, 'silencio' is a masculine word in Spanish. Always pair it with 'el' or 'un', like 'el silencio'.

'Silencio' vs. 'Callado'

Mistake: “Trying to say 'The boy is silence.' ('El niño es silencio.')”

Correction: Use 'callado' for people: 'El niño está callado.' ('The boy is quiet'). 'Silencio' describes a place or situation, not a person's state of being.

calma

/KAL-mah//ˈkalma/

nounA2general
Use 'calma' to describe a state of peace, tranquility, and absence of disturbance or excitement.
A perfectly still, glassy blue lake surrounded by gentle green hills under a clear sky, symbolizing serenity.

Examples

Después de la tormenta, llegó la calma.

After the storm, calm arrived.

Respira profundo y busca la calma.

Take a deep breath and find your calm.

Me encanta la calma del mar por la mañana.

I love the calm of the sea in the morning.

Después de la discusión, hubo una calma tensa en la habitación.

After the argument, there was a tense quiet in the room.

Always Feminine: 'la calma'

Even though it describes a general feeling, 'calma' is a feminine word in Spanish. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it, like 'la calma del océano' (the calm of the ocean).

reservado

re-ser-VA-do/reseɾˈβaðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'reservado' to describe a person who is not openly expressive or talkative, preferring to keep their thoughts and feelings private.
A quiet young boy sitting alone on a park bench, observing other children playing in the distance but not joining them.

Examples

Al principio, era reservado, pero luego se volvió más amigable.

At first, he was reserved, but then he became friendlier.

Al principio, el nuevo jefe parecía muy reservado, pero luego se abrió.

At first, the new boss seemed very reserved (private), but then he opened up.

Prefiero ser reservada con mis planes hasta que estén listos.

I prefer to be private about my plans until they are ready.

bajo

/BA-ho//ˈbaxo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'bajo' specifically to describe a low volume of sound or a quiet voice.
A tall adult person standing in a room with a ceiling that is clearly too low, illustrating the concept of low height or position.

Examples

Por favor, habla más bajo.

Please, speak more quietly.

Mi hermano es más bajo que yo.

My brother is shorter than me.

El techo de la casa es muy bajo.

The ceiling of the house is very low.

Por favor, habla en voz baja, el bebé duerme.

Please, speak in a quiet voice, the baby is sleeping.

Making it Match

As an adjective, 'bajo' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'baja' for feminine things, 'bajos' for plural masculine, and 'bajas' for plural feminine. (e.g., la mesa baja, los techos bajos, las sillas bajas)

Height vs. Length

Mistake: “El lápiz es bajo.”

Correction: El lápiz es corto. Use 'bajo' for height (like a person or a building) and 'corto' for length (like a pencil or a story).

quietos

/kye-tos//kjetos/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'quietos' (plural form of 'quieto') to describe people or things that are physically still and not moving or making noise.
Three brightly colored wooden toy soldiers standing rigidly upright and motionless on a plain surface.

Examples

¡Niños, quedaos quietos!

Children, stay still/quiet!

Los leones permanecieron quietos mientras el rebaño pasaba.

The lions remained still while the herd passed by.

Todos los chicos estaban quietos esperando su turno.

All the boys were quiet/still waiting for their turn.

Las aguas del lago estaban quietos esta mañana.

The lake waters were calm this morning.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'quietos' ends in '-os', it describes multiple masculine things (or a mixed group of males and females). Use 'quietas' for multiple females.

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Los niños son quietos.”

Correction: Los niños están quietos. Use 'estar' because 'quietos' describes a temporary state (being still right now), not a permanent characteristic.

quedo

KAY-doh/ˈkeðo/

adjectiveC1literary
Use 'quedo' to describe a deep, profound silence or stillness, often implying a lack of any sound whatsoever.
A perfectly still pond surface reflecting the surrounding trees and sky without any ripples.

Examples

La noche era quedo y estrellada.

The night was quiet and starry.

La casa estaba en un silencio quedo, solo se oía el viento.

The house was in a quiet stillness; only the wind could be heard.

El niño se mantuvo quedo para no despertar a su madre.

The boy kept still so as not to wake his mother.

Tranquilo vs. Silencioso

The most common mistake is confusing 'tranquilo' and 'silencioso'. Remember, 'tranquilo' is often used for peaceful places or calm people, while 'silencioso' specifically refers to the absence of sound from a person or object.

Related Translations

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