静かにしてください
shizukani shite kudasai
The English phrase "please shut up" can be translated into Japanese as 静かにしてください (shizukani shite kudasai).
This phrase is a polite request for someone to stop talking or to be quiet.
How do you pronounce it?
shizukani shite kudasai
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, shouting うるさい 'noisy' at someone is a common way to tell them to shut up, even though the word is an adjective describing a sound.
- Using 静かにしてください can actually feel quite stern or even confrontational in a professional setting, despite the polite grammar used.
- The word ください (kudasai) is actually the imperative form of a verb meaning 'to give', so you are essentially asking someone to 'give' you the favor of quiet.
Examples in context
- 田中さん (Tanaka-san), 黙ってください (damatte kudasai)Mr./Ms. Tanaka, please be quiet.
- 図書館では静かにしてください。toshokan dewa shizuka ni shite kudasai.Please be quiet in the library.
- もう少し静かにしてください。mou sukoshi shizuka ni shite kudasai.Please be a little quieter.
Example conversation
A student is trying to study in a quiet study room.
- 結衣 Yuiすみません、静かにしてください。sumimasen, shizuka ni shite kudasai.Excuse me, please be quiet.
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、ごめんなさい。a, gomen nasai.Oh, I am sorry.
- 結衣 Yui集中したいので、お願いします。shuuchuu shitai node, onegaishimasu.I want to concentrate, so please.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかりました。静かにします。wakarimashita. shizuka ni shimasu.I understand. I will be quiet.
