cala a boca
/ˈka.lɐ a ˈbo.kɐ/
To say 'be quiet' in Portuguese, you use cala a boca.
The phrase cala a boca is an imperative used to tell someone to stop talking. While it can be translated as 'be quiet', it is much more aggressive and is closer in meaning to the English 'shut up'.
Which one should you use?
If you want to command silence more politely or formally, use the noun silêncio instead of the idiomatic cala a boca.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cala a boca is an informal and aggressive way to tell someone to be quiet. For formal settings, you can use Fique em silêncio (stay in silence) or Mantenha o silêncio (maintain the silence). For informal situations, you might use Fica quieto (stay quiet) or Fica calado (keep quiet).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form cala a boca uses the second-person singular imperative, which makes it direct and informal.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈka.lɐ a ˈbo.kɐ/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, you can also say fecha o bico to tell someone to be quiet. This is a highly informal, almost animalistic way to say 'shut your beak'.
- The word boca in cala a boca originates from a Celtic word that entered Latin as bucca, which specifically referred to a cheek or a mouth.
- In some Brazilian regions, you might hear people say cala a matraca to tell someone to be quiet. This implies the person is talking incessantly, like a noisy rattle or percussion instrument.
Examples in context
- Por favor, fiquem em silêncio durante a prova.Please remain silent during the test.
- Fica quieto, não dá para ouvir o diálogo.Be quiet, we can't hear the dialogue.
- Cala a boca, eu estou tentando estudar.Shut up, I am trying to study.
- Cala a boca e me escuta!Shut up and listen to me!
- Ele gritou: cala a boca!He shouted: shut up!
Example conversation
Two siblings are arguing loudly in the living room.
- LucasCala a boca, Camila!Shut up, Camila!
- CamilaNão vou calar a boca, Lucas.I am not going to shut up, Lucas.
- LucasVocê é muito irritante.You are very annoying.
- CamilaE você é um chato.And you are a bore.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cala a boca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, boca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
