oye, cállate
The English phrase "hey, shut up" is translated into Spanish as oye, cállate.
Oye, cállate is an informal and blunt command used to tell someone to stop talking immediately.
What does it mean word for word?
The word oye comes from the verb oír (to hear) and functions as "hey" or "listen". The word cállate is a combination of calla (the imperative of callar, meaning to silence) and the reflexive pronoun te (yourself), literally meaning "shut yourself up".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This phrase is highly informal and can be perceived as rude or aggressive depending on the tone of voice used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To tell a group of people to shut up, use the plural form cállense instead of the singular cállate.
Did you know?
- The verb callar is used in the expression callar en seco, which describes interrupting someone so abruptly that they are left speechless.
- In formal settings, instead of cállate, a person might use the phrase guardar silencio, which focuses on the act of 'keeping' silence rather than 'shutting' a person up.
- The phrase cállate la boca is a common variation that literally means 'shut your mouth', and it is often used to add extra emphasis or frustration to the original command.
Examples in context
- Oye, cállate.Hey, shut up.
- ¡Oye, cállate! Estoy tratando de estudiar.Hey, shut up! I am trying to study.
- Oye, cállate, estoy intentando estudiar.Hey, shut up, I am trying to study.
- ¡Oye, cállate! No te escucho.Hey, shut up! I can't hear you.
- Oye, cállate un momento, por favor.Hey, shut up for a moment, please.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are in a quiet library.
- DanielLucía, estás hablando demasiado alto.Lucía, you are talking too loudly.
- Lucía¡No es para tanto!It's not that big a deal!
- DanielOye, cállate, que nos van a echar.Hey, shut up, they are going to kick us out.
- LucíaEstá bien, me callo.Fine, I'll be quiet.
