Which one should you use?
The direct command to be quiet is замълчи, but the single word Тихо! (Quiet!) is also a very common and shorter way to demand silence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word замълчи is used when addressing one person informally. For formal situations or when addressing multiple people, you should use the form замълчете. Other variations include Моля ви, бъдете тихи (Please be quiet) and Моля, запазвайте тишина (Please maintain silence) for formal requests. In very informal or blunt settings, you might hear Млъкни (shut up) or Прибери гласа си (lower your voice).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form замълчи is the singular imperative, used when addressing one person informally. The form замълчете is the plural or formal imperative, used when addressing multiple people or one person formally.
How do you pronounce it?
zamalchi
Did you know?
- The command Прибери гласа си literally translates to 'pack away your voice', a colorful way of telling someone to lower their volume.
- Using the plural замълчете when addressing a single person is not just a formal requirement but can be used sarcastically to treat a person as if they are a crowd.
- While Тихо! is a very common way to say 'quiet', it is also used as an exclamation to tell someone to 'careful' or 'watch out' in certain contexts.
Examples in context
- Млъкни, моля те!Shut up, please!
- Замълчи веднага!Zamălchi vednaqa!Be quiet immediately!
- Замълчи, опитвам се да уча.Zamălchi, opitvam se da ucha.Be quiet, I am trying to study.
Example conversation
Desislava and Georgi are arguing in a library.
- Десислава DesislavaГеорги, замълчи! Тук е библиотека.Georgi, zamulchi! Tuk e biblioteka.Georgi, be quiet! This is a library.
- Георги GeorgiНо аз не говоря силно.No az ne govorya silno.But I am not speaking loudly.
- Десислава DesislavaПак правиш шум, замълчи!Pak pravish shum, zamulchi!You are making noise again, be quiet!
- Георги GeorgiДобре, ще млъкна.Dobre, shte mlukna.Fine, I will stop talking.
