tace
The English phrase "be quiet" is translated into Latin as tace.
tace is a command used to tell someone to stop speaking or to make no noise.
What does it mean word for word?
The command tace is derived from the verb taceo, which means "I am silent" or "to be silent".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tace is the singular imperative, used to command one person to be quiet. If you are commanding more than one person to be quiet, use tacete. The form taceas is the singular present subjunctive, which is used in subordinate clauses such as "so that you may be quiet".
Did you know?
- While tace means to be silent, the Romans used the word silentium to describe not just a lack of noise but a formal, respectful hush required in sacred spaces.
- The English adjective 'taciturn', used to describe a person who rarely speaks, is a direct linguistic descendant of the verb from which tace is derived.
Examples in context
- Iam tacebo.I'll be quiet.The first sentence uses tace to express a future intention to be silent.Tatoeba #10865353 by soridsolid, translation #2549714 by CK
- Quin taces?Why won't you be quiet?The second sentence uses tace to ask why someone will not be quiet.Tatoeba #12306871 by soridsolid, translation #12306870 by soridsolid
- Tace! Dormiunt!Be quiet! They're sleeping!The third sentence uses tace as a command to be quiet because others are sleeping.Tatoeba #4947376 by CarpeLanam, translation #5076943 by CarpeLanam
- Silentium tenete!Keep silence!
- Silentium esto!Be silent!
- Tace!Be quiet!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Claudia and Lucius are in a library.
- ClaudiaTace, Luci!Be quiet, Lucius!
- LuciusCur taceam?Why should I be quiet?
- ClaudiaTace! Haec est bibliotheca.Be quiet! This is a library.
- LuciusBene, tacebo.Fine, I will be quiet.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tace, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
