How to Say “Be Quiet” in Hmong

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nyob twj ywm
To say "be quiet" in Hmong, use nyob twj ywm.
The phrase nyob twj ywm is used as a request or a command for someone to stop talking or to stop making noise.

Did you know?

  • The word nyob does not just mean 'be' in the sense of silence, but is the same word Hmong speakers use for 'to live' or 'to reside'.
  • Because Hmong is a tonal language, changing the tone of the words in nyob twj ywm can completely change the meaning to something unrelated to silence.
  • While nyob twj ywm is the standard phrase, Hmong speakers may use different variations depending on whether they are speaking White Hmong or Green Hmong dialects.

Examples in context

  • Thov nyob twj ywm.
    Please be quiet.
  • Koj yuav tsum nyob twj ywm.
    You must be quiet.

Example conversation

Yia and Yee are entering a library.

  1. Yia

    Yee, nyob twj ywm.
    Yee, be quiet.
  2. Yee

    Vim li cas?
    Why?
  3. Yia

    Peb nyob hauv phuam nyiaj.
    We are in the library.
  4. Yee

    Thov txim, kuv yuav nyob twj ywm.
    Sorry, I will be quiet.
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Joanne Violet
Joanne VioletHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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