What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun silencio (silence) and the polite formula por favor (please).
Which one should you use?
While silencio por favor is a polite request, dropping the por favor to simply say ¡Silencio! turns the polite request into a command, which can sound much more abrupt or angry. For a more forceful way to ask someone to be quiet, you can use Cállate la boca, por favor, which literally means 'Shut your mouth, please'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the polite request into a command, you can drop the por favor and say ¡Silencio! Using the verb guardar (to keep/maintain) with the plural imperative is a more formal and grammatically complete way to request silence from a group: Guarden silencio, por favor.
How do you pronounce it?
/silenθjo poɾ faboɾ/
Did you know?
- In formal settings, Spanish speakers use the verb guardar meaning 'to keep' or 'to save' to request silence, as in Guarden silencio.
- The word favor comes from the Latin faveō, which means 'to be kindly towards' someone.
- Grammatically, when you say silencio por favor, you are not actually using a verb to say 'be quiet', but are instead literally saying 'silence please'.
Examples in context
- Les ruego que guarden silencio, por favorI kindly ask you to remain silent, please.
- Cállate, por favor. No puedo escucharBe quiet, please. I can't hear.
- Silencio por favor, estoy estudiando.Be quiet please, I am studying.
- ¡Silencio por favor! La película va a empezar.Be quiet please! The movie is about to start.
Example conversation
Alejandro is trying to work in a quiet library.
- AlejandroElena, silencio por favor, necesito concentrarme.Elena, be quiet please, I need to concentrate.
- ElenaLo siento, Alejandro, no hablaré más.I am sorry, Alejandro, I won't talk anymore.
- AlejandroGracias, te lo agradezco mucho.Thank you, I really appreciate it.
- ElenaNo hay problema, seguiré en silencio.No problem, I will stay quiet.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries favor, por, silencio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
