cállate la boca
/kaʝate la boka/from spelling rules
The English phrase "hush your mouth" is translated into Spanish as cállate la boca.
The phrase cállate la boca is an imperative used to tell someone to stop talking or to be quiet. Adding la boca to the verb callar provides an extra layer of emphasis or aggression compared to the simpler version of the command.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive imperative cállate (shut yourself) and la boca (the mouth).
Which one should you use?
While cállate la boca is a direct translation of "hush your mouth", the shorter cállate is much more common for a simple "shut up". If you want to tell someone to be quiet immediately, you can also use ¡Calla! which translates to "Shush!"
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people instead of one person, change the verb to the plural form cállense, as in cállense la boca.
Did you know?
- While cállate la boca sounds like a harsh command, using it with a soft tone and a smile can turn it into a playful expression of disbelief, much like saying 'no way!' in English.
- The word boca is a linguistic relative of the English word 'beak', even though it refers to a human mouth rather than a bird's anatomy.
- In some regions, the verb callar is used to describe the act of hiding a secret or withholding information rather than just remaining silent.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are arguing in a quiet library.
- Alejandro¡Lucía, cállate la boca!Lucía, hush your mouth!
- Lucía¿Por qué soy tan ruidosa?Why am I so noisy?
- AlejandroPorque no dejas de hablar.Because you won't stop talking.
- LucíaEstá bien, me callo.Fine, I'll be quiet.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boca, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
