hush
/hʌʃ/
The English phrase "be quiet" is translated into Jamaican as hush.
hush is used as a request or command for someone to stop making noise. You can use the expression Hush yuh noise. to tell someone to quiet down or to stop making unnecessary noise.
How do you pronounce it?
/hʌʃ/
Did you know?
- Saying hush too sharply to an elder in Jamaica can be seen as extremely disrespectful, whereas it might be a casual command among friends.
- In Jamaica, the phrase hush yuh noise is often used to tell someone to stop talking nonsense or acting up, rather than just reducing the volume of their voice.
- While hush is common, a more forceful way to demand silence in Jamaica is to use the phrase shut up, which is often considered much more aggressive than its English counterpart.
Examples in context
- Chile, hush yu mouth!Child, be quiet!This sentence is useful for learning how to use the form hush when telling someone to be quiet.
- Hush yuhself, mi a try sleep.Be quiet, I am trying to sleep.
- Hush, di baby a sleep.Be quiet, the baby is sleeping.
Example conversation
Shanice and Ricardo are in a library.
- ShaniceRicardo, hush yuh mouth.Ricardo, be quiet.
- RicardoMi barely talk, Shanice.I barely spoke, Shanice.
- ShaniceJust hush so we can study.Just be quiet so we can study.
- RicardoAlright, mi quiet.Alright, I'm quiet.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hush, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
