How to Say “Be Quiet” in Maltese

By Derek Declan • Updated October 2, 2026

oqgħod kwiet

The English phrase "be quiet" is expressed in Maltese as oqgħod kwiet.

oqgħod kwiet is used as a standard request or command for someone to stop talking or to stop making noise.

Which one should you use?

While oqgħod kwiet is the standard way to ask for silence, the word issilt is a much more forceful and blunt command equivalent to "shut up".

Did you know?

Because Maltese blends Arabic and Romance roots, the phrase oqgħod kwiet pairs a Semitic verb with a Romance adjective.
Maltese uses the unique letter għ in oqgħod, a letter that is not pronounced in modern speech but affects the vowel sounds around it.
In Maltese, the command oqgħod kwiet uses a verb that literally means 'stay' or 'remain', treating silence as a physical location or state one must stay in.

Examples in context

Oqgħod kwiet, jekk jogħġbok.
Be quiet, please.

Example conversation

Kurt and Myriam are in a library.

Kurt

Myriam, oqgħod kwiet please.
Myriam, be quiet please.
Myriam

Sorr, ma kontx naf li konna hawn.
Sorry, I didn't know we were here.
Kurt

In-nies qed jarrendu.
People are complaining.
Myriam

Dak huwa, oqgħodt kwieita.
That's it, I'll stay quiet.

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About The Author

Derek Declan

مرحبًا (Hello), I am Derek. As a lover of languages and cultures, I have an unstoppable passion for the Arabic culture and language. My wanderlust often takes me on journeys across the Arab world. Also, a self-proclaimed foodie, unleashing my culinary skills to recreate traditional dishes like hummus and bread, is my favourite pastime. My interest in Arabic also led me to Maltese, its Mediterranean relative written in Latin letters, and I now write guides on Maltese too. My interest in Arabic is not merely linguistic, but I indulge in breaking down societal norms and cultural subtleties.

Derek DeclanHelp 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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