cállate hermano
/kaʝate eɾmano/from spelling rules
The English phrase "bro shut up" is translated into Spanish as cállate hermano.
cállate hermano is an informal way to tell a male friend or peer to stop talking. You may also encounter other informal variations such as ¡Oye, cállate! for "Hey, shut up!" or the colloquial ¡Cierra el pico, colega! which literally means "shut your beak, bro!"
Which one should you use?
While cállate hermano is the default, you should use cállese if you are speaking to someone in a formal context instead of using the informal cállate.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
cállate hermano is highly informal and can be perceived as rude or aggressive depending on your tone. Because it uses the informal imperative, it is appropriate for friends or peers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Depending on where you are, the word for "bro" may change. In Spain, it is common to say cállate, tío (shut up, dude). In Mexico, you can use the slang term güey to say cállate, güey (shut up, dude).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the informal imperative form of the verb, which is used when addressing friends or peers.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaʝate eɾmano/
Did you know?
- The English word 'germane' meaning relevant is a distant relative of hermano. Both words share a root in the Latin word germānus which refers to being of the same parent.
- In Mexico, the word güey used in cállate, güey began as a term for an ox or a clumsy person before becoming a ubiquitous term for 'bro' or 'dude'.
- In Spain, the word tío literally means 'uncle', yet it is the standard equivalent for 'dude' or 'bro' in informal conversation.
Examples in context
- ¡Oye, cállate un rato y déjame concentrarme en el partido!Hey, shut up for a while and let me focus on the game!
Example conversation
María and Daniel are joking around during a break.
- MaríaNo puedo creer que hicieras eso.I can't believe you did that.
- Daniel¡Fue un accidente, lo juro!It was an accident, I swear!
- María¡Cállate hermano, no te creo nada!Shut up bro, I don't believe you at all!
- DanielEstá bien, tú ganas.Fine, you win.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
