callado
person, Mexico
In Mexican Spanish "quiet" is callado for a person who does not talk much. A noiseless place is silencioso or tranquilo.
Meaning: making little noise (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| callado | person, Mexico |
| silencioso | noiseless |
| tranquilo | calm |
Es muy callado describes a quiet person, and un barrio tranquilo describes a calm neighborhood. To ask for silence say silencio, por favor.
Which one should you use?
Callado means "not speaking", while tranquilo means calm and without trouble. Silencioso means "making no noise", such as an engine.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Telling someone cállate is rude. It is the order to shut up, so use guarda silencio or silencio, por favor for politeness.
Did you know?
- The phrase el que calla, otorga is a Spanish saying meaning that silence means agreement.
Examples in context
- Mi hermano es muy callado.My brother is very quiet.
- Vivo en una calle tranquila.I live on a quiet street.
Example conversation
Teacher Inés talks to her class in a school in Veracruz.
- InésNiños, silencio, por favor.Children, quiet, please.
- PedroMaestra, Luis no se queda callado.Teacher, Luis will not stay quiet.
- InésLuis, guarda silencio un momento.Luis, be quiet for a moment.
