zitto
/ˈd͡zit.to/
The English phrase "hush" is translated into Italian as zitto.
Zitto is used to make someone quiet. While it can function as an adjective meaning "quiet," when used as an exclamation, it serves as a command to be silent. Using Zitto! as a standalone exclamation is quite blunt and can be perceived as rude or aggressive depending on the tone. For a simple and direct way to say hush, you can also use Silenzio.
Meaning: to make quiet (verb)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you are speaking to someone you know well, you can use the informal Stai zitto to say "be quiet" or "shut up." For a formal situation, use Stia zitto.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form must agree in gender and number with the person or people you are addressing. Use zitta when speaking to a woman, and zitti when speaking to a group of people. If you are addressing a group consisting only of women, use the feminine plural form zitte.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈdzit.to/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- The expression zitto come un pesce literally means 'quiet as a fish' and is used to describe someone who refuses to reveal a secret.
- Unlike the English 'hush', which can be a gentle soothing sound for a baby, zitto is almost never used for infants and is instead replaced by shh.
- The word zitto is believed to be an onomatopoeia, mimicking the actual sound one makes to signal silence.
Examples in context
- Zitto!Hush!This sentence is useful for practicing the exclamation zitto.Tatoeba #4422333 by Guybrush88, translation #689811 by sacredceltic
- Stia zitto, per favorePlease be quiet
- Stai zitto, per favore.Be quiet, please.
- Zitto! Il bambino dorme.Hush! The baby is sleeping.
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are in a library.
- GiuliaAlessandro, stai zitto!Alessandro, be quiet!
- AlessandroScusa, non me ne accorgevo.Sorry, I didn't realize.
- GiuliaDobbiamo essere silenziosi qui.We have to be silent here.
- AlessandroHai ragione, starò zitto.You're right, I'll stay quiet.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry zitto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zitto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
