solo cállate
/solo kaʝate/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "just shut up" is said as solo cállate.
This phrase is a blunt or rude command used to tell someone to stop talking immediately.
Which one should you use?
While solo cállate translates specifically to "just shut up", the single word ¡Cállate! is the most common way to issue the command "Shut up!" in general.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you need to use the command in a formal register using usted, you would say solo cállese. Other informal variations include Calla la boca, which literally means "shut your mouth" and cállate la boca, which is a common, slightly more aggressive way to say "shut up" in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form cállate is the imperative (command) form of the reflexive verb callarse.
How do you pronounce it?
/solo kaʝate/
Did you know?
- If you want to be extremely aggressive in Spain, you might hear someone say Cierra el pico instead of Cállate, which literally means 'Close your beak'.
- In some Spanish dialects, the word ¡Ya! is used as a softer alternative to cállate to tell someone to 'just stop it'.
- The verb callar is not only for silence but is also the standard way to describe keeping a secret, such as callar la verdad.
Examples in context
- Oye, cállate de una vez. Estoy intentando ver esta película sin interrupciones.Hey, shut up already. I'm trying to watch this movie without interruptions.
- ¡Solo cállate y escucha!Just shut up and listen!
- Por favor, solo cállate ya.Please, just shut up already.
- No quiero oírte, solo cállate.I don't want to hear you, just shut up.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are having a heated argument in a living room.
- Lucía¡No me interesa tu opinión!I don't care about your opinion!
- MateoPero Lucía, solo trato de ayudar…But Lucía, I'm just trying to help…
- Lucía¡Solo cállate, Mateo!Just shut up, Mateo!
- MateoEstá bien, me callo.Fine, I'll be quiet.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
