cállate
/ˈkaʝate/
In Spanish, to hush up is expressed by cállate.
It is derived from the verb callar, which means to silence or to make quiet.
Meaning: to keep secret (verb)
Which one should you use?
While cállate means 'be quiet' or 'shut up', it is much more forceful and can be perceived as rude compared to silencio.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, cállate is a common way to say hush up.
How does it change in a sentence?
cállate is the imperative (command) form of the reflexive verb callarse. You use cállate when addressing one person informally (tú). If you are telling a group of people to hush up, use cállense instead.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- While cállate is a command to be quiet, the phrase ¡Cállate la boca! is used as an expression of disbelief, similar to the English 'Shut your mouth!' or 'No way!'
- Spanish distinguishes between callar, which is the act of stopping one's own speech, and silenciar, which usually involves an external force or a technical action like muting a device.
- In many Spanish-speaking households, parents avoid the harshness of cállate by using rhythmic sounds like '¡ya, ya, ya!' or a simple '¡shhh!' to settle children. These are often considered more effective and less aggressive than the formal command.
Examples in context
- Por favor, cállese.Please, hush up.
- Les pido que se callen inmediatamente.I ask that you hush up immediately.
- Chitón, no quiero que mamá nos escuche.Hush up, I don't want mom to hear us.
- Deja de hablar y quédate callado/a un rato.Stop talking and hush up for a while.
- ¡Quédate callado/a o nos descubrirán!Hush up, or we'll get caught!
- Mira, cállate un momento, necesito concentrarme.Hey, hush up for a moment, I need to concentrate.
- Cállate y déjame terminar de contar mi historia.Shut up and let me finish telling my story.
- ¡Cállate, que no te oigo!Shut up, I can't hear you!
Example conversation
Sofía tells Alejandro about a surprise gift.
- SofíaTengo un regalo para tu hermano.I have a gift for your brother.
- Alejandro¿Qué compraste para él, Sofía?What did you buy for him, Sofía?
- Sofía¡Cállate! Es una sorpresa.Hush up! It is a surprise.
- AlejandroEstá bien, no diré nada.Alright, I won't say anything.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cállate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
