chito
/ˈt͡ʃito/
The English phrase "shh" can be translated into Spanish as chito. Wiktionary also lists chitón.
Meaning: requesting silence (intj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| chito | /ˈt͡ʃito/ |
| chitón | /t͡ʃiˈton/ |
These terms are used to request silence or to hush someone.
Which one should you use?
The form chito is a softer, more colloquial way to request silence compared to the more forceful chitón.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form chitón is used predominantly in Spain and Latin American countries.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃito/
Did you know?
- While chitón asks for silence, the phrase hacer chitón means to keep a secret or stay quiet about a specific piece of information.
- The suffix '-ón' in chitón often functions in Spanish to make a word 'augmentative', meaning it adds a sense of greater size or intensity to the base sound.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the request for silence is often accompanied by a finger pressed against the lips, but a common alternative is to make a 'clicking' sound with the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
Examples in context
- ¡Chitón!Shh!This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form chitón as an exclamation.Tatoeba #10097410 by manufrutos, translation #9019960 by Rawrren
- ¡Chito, que el bebé duerme!Shh, the baby is sleeping!
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are in a library.
- Elena¡Chito, Mateo! Estamos en la biblioteca.Shh, Mateo! We are in the library.
- MateoLo siento, no me di cuenta.I'm sorry, I didn't realize.
- ElenaHablemos más bajo, entonces.Let's speak more quietly, then.
- MateoEstá bien, Elena.Alright, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shh” translations and entries chito, chitón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
