помовч
pomovch
помовч (pomovch) is the Ukrainian way to say be quiet.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to stop talking.
Which one should you use?
While помовч is a direct command to stop talking, the word тихо (meaning quietly) is often used as a shorter, softer command meaning hush or be quiet. For a more forceful or emphatic way to say shut up, you can use Заткнись! To convey a stern message specifically to an individual, you can say Ти затихни!, which means you shut up.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form помовч is the singular imperative used to tell one person to be quiet in an informal way. If you are speaking to more than one person, or if you wish to use the polite form, use помовчіть.
How do you pronounce it?
pomovch
Did you know?
- The forceful command Заткнись! comes from a verb meaning 'to plug' or 'to stop up' a hole, essentially telling the person to plug their own mouth.
- In some regional dialects, a very short цсс! (tss) sound is used as a non-verbal way to tell someone to be quiet, similar to the 'shh' sound.
- In Ukrainian culture, the way you demand silence can immediately signal your relationship to the listener, where using the wrong form of помовчіть could be seen as an accidental insult.
Examples in context
- Помовчте. Не розмовляйте в класі.Be quiet. Don't talk in class.This sentence shows how to use помовч to tell someone not to talk in class.Tatoeba #508350 by ChickenKiev, translation #272036 by CK
- Будь ласка, будьте тихі під час виступу.Please be quiet during the performance.
- Звичайно, ми будемо тихі.Certainly, we will be quiet.
- Тиша, будь ласка, я намагаюся сконцентруватися.Silence, please. I'm trying to concentrate.
- Добре, вибач, я затихну.Okay, sorry, I'll be quiet.
- Будь ласка, помовч на хвилину.Bud laska, pomovch na khvylynu.Please, be quiet for a minute.
Example conversation
Andriy is trying to study while Olena keeps talking.
- Андрій AndriiОлено, я намагаюся читати.Oleno, ya namahayusya chytaty.Olena, I am trying to read.
- Олена OlenaА що я такого сказала?A shcho ya takoho skazala?And what did I say?
- Андрій AndriiПросто помовч, будь ласка.Prosto pomovch, bud laska.Just be quiet, please.
- Олена OlenaДобре, я замовчу.Dobre, ya zamovchu.Fine, I will be quiet.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
