chico, cállate
/ˈt͡ʃiko ˈkaʝate/word by word
The English phrase "boy, be quiet" can be translated into Spanish as chico, cállate.
This phrase is a command used to tell a boy to stop talking.
Which one should you use?
The phrase Chico, cállate. is the informal way to say "Boy, be quiet." If you were addressing a boy or man formally (using usted), you would use cállese instead of cállate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word cállate is the imperative (command) form of the reflexive verb callarse, which means to be quiet or to shut up.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃiko ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- The word chico may have been borrowed from the Yucatec Maya word chiʼik.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, cállate can sound much more aggressive than 'be quiet' and is often closer to 'shut up'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word chico is used to describe a small size rather than a young person, such as a café chico for a small coffee.
Examples in context
- ¡Chico, cállate!Boy, be quiet!
- Chico, cállate, por favor.Boy, be quiet, please.
- Escucha, chico, cállate un momento.Listen, boy, be quiet for a moment.
Example conversation
María is trying to read a book while Mateo talks constantly.
- MateoMira este juguete, María.Look at this toy, María.
- MaríaChico, cállate, estoy leyendo.Boy, be quiet, I am reading.
- Mateo¿Por qué estás enfadada?Why are you angry?
- MaríaNo estoy enfadada, solo quiero silencio.I am not angry, I just want silence.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (chico, cállate) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
