cállate ahora mismo
/kaʝate aoɾa mismo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "be quiet right now" is cállate ahora mismo.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to stop talking immediately. While 'be quiet' is a polite request in English, cállate is much more blunt and can be perceived as rude or aggressive in Spanish.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cállate is a combination of the verb callar (to be silent) and the reflexive pronoun te (you).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are commanding a group of people to be quiet, use the plural form cállense.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaʝate aoɾa mismo/
Did you know?
- Although cállate is a command for silence, the verb callar is also used to describe 'keeping a secret' or not revealing information.
- While cállate is blunt, Spanish speakers often use the gesture of placing a single index finger vertically over the lips to soften the command.
- In the 17th century, the writer Francisco de Quevedo mocked the word agora as a 'rustic vulgarity'.
Examples in context
- Manténgase en silencio ahora mismo, por favor.Please stay quiet right now.
- Haga silencio inmediatamente, necesitamos concentrarnos.Be quiet immediately, we need to concentrate.
- ¡Cállate ahora mismo! Estoy tratando de escuchar la canción.Shut up right now! I'm trying to listen to the song.
- ¡Calla de una vez! Estás arruinando el juego.Shut up once and for all! You're ruining the game.
- No hables ahora mismo, estamos viendo una película.Don't speak right now, we're watching a movie.
- ¡Cállate ahora mismo!Be quiet right now!
- Por favor, cállate ahora mismo.Please, be quiet right now.
- Cállate ahora mismo, estoy trabajando.Be quiet right now, I am working.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are in a library.
- AlejandroLucía, cállate ahora mismo.Lucía, be quiet right now.
- LucíaLo siento, Alejandro.I am sorry, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEstamos en una biblioteca.We are in a library.
- LucíaTienes razón, no hablaré más.You are right, I won't talk anymore.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahora, mismo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
