How to Say "to silence" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to silence” is “silenciar” — use this verb when you want to make a device quiet, like turning off the sound on a phone or computer, or to stop opposition or noise in a general sense.
Use this verb when you want to make a device quiet, like turning off the sound on a phone or computer, or to stop opposition or noise in a general sense.
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Use this verb specifically when you want to make a person stop talking, implying they are being disruptive or inappropriate.
Learn more →see-len-syahrsilenˈsjaɾ
Examples
Por favor, silencia tu micrófono durante la presentación.
Please mute your microphone during the presentation.
He silenciado el grupo de WhatsApp porque mandan muchos mensajes.
I have muted the WhatsApp group because they send many messages.
Silenciaron la música cuando entró el director.
They silenced the music when the director entered.
El gobierno intentó silenciar las protestas.
The government tried to silence the protests.
Using the 'Special Form' for Commands
When telling someone to mute their phone, use 'silencia' for friends and 'silencie' for being formal.
Direct Action
This word needs a target—you always silence something (a phone, a person, an alarm).
The Passive Use
This meaning is often used with 'ser' (to be) to show something was suppressed, like 'fue silenciado' (it was silenced).
Silenciar vs. Callar
Mistake: “Using 'silenciar' to mean 'to be quiet'.”
Correction: Use 'callar' if you want to stop talking yourself; use 'silenciar' when you make something else quiet, like a device.
kah-YARkaˈʎaɾ
Examples
El presentador calló a la audiencia con un gesto.
The host silenced the audience with a gesture.
Prometió callar la verdad para proteger a su familia.
He promised to keep quiet about the truth to protect his family.
Intentó callar mis argumentos, pero no pudo.
He tried to silence my arguments, but he couldn't.
Transitive Use
In this meaning, 'callar' needs a direct object—it acts upon something else (a person, a group, or a piece of information).
Mixing up the meanings
Mistake: “El secreto se calló (The secret silenced itself).”
Correction: El secreto fue callado (The secret was kept quiet/silenced). Use the passive voice or a different verb like 'ocultar' (to hide).
see-len-syahrsilenˈsjaɾ
Examples
El gobierno intentó silenciar las protestas.
The government tried to silence the protests.
Por favor, silencia tu micrófono durante la presentación.
Please mute your microphone during the presentation.
He silenciado el grupo de WhatsApp porque mandan muchos mensajes.
I have muted the WhatsApp group because they send many messages.
Silenciaron la música cuando entró el director.
They silenced the music when the director entered.
Using the 'Special Form' for Commands
When telling someone to mute their phone, use 'silencia' for friends and 'silencie' for being formal.
Direct Action
This word needs a target—you always silence something (a phone, a person, an alarm).
The Passive Use
This meaning is often used with 'ser' (to be) to show something was suppressed, like 'fue silenciado' (it was silenced).
Silenciar vs. Callar
Mistake: “Using 'silenciar' to mean 'to be quiet'.”
Correction: Use 'callar' if you want to stop talking yourself; use 'silenciar' when you make something else quiet, like a device.
Silenciar vs. Callar
Learners often confuse 'silenciar' and 'callar'. Remember that 'silenciar' is broader and can apply to devices or general suppression, while 'callar' specifically means to make a person stop talking, often with an implication of telling them to be quiet.
Related Translations
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