Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cállate | /ˈkaʝate/ | |
| cállate la boca | /kaʝate la boka/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cierra la boca | /θjera la boka/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjera la boka/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| cállanse | /kaʝanse/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cierra el pico | /θjera el piko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjera el piko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
informal |
| cállate el hocico | /kaʝate el oθiko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kaʝate el osiko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
impolite, informal |
All these phrases are used to tell someone to stop talking. While cállate is the most common and direct way to say it, other variations can change the tone from descriptive to highly insulting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cállate el hocico literally means "shut your snout", using hocico (snout or muzzle) to compare the person to an animal. The phrase cierra el pico literally means "close your beak", using pico (beak) as a colloquial way to tell someone to be quiet.
Which one should you use?
cállate is the standard way to say shut up, whereas cierra la boca is a slightly more descriptive alternative that literally means "close your mouth".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
cállate el hocico is highly impolite and much more aggressive than the standard cállate. The phrase cierra el pico is considered informal. While cállate is used for informal singular address, other forms vary by number and target.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word Chitón is used to mean "hush" or "be quiet."
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
cállate is the imperative singular form used when speaking to one person informally. To address more than one person, use the plural form cállense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- The word chitón is an onomatopoeic expression designed to mimic the sound of a finger pressing against the lips.
- In some cultures, using cállate can be perceived as far more aggressive than the English 'shut up' depending on the social hierarchy.
- The Spanish word boca, meaning 'mouth', shares a common ancestor with the Latin word bucca, which originally meant 'cheek'.
Examples in context
- Cállate o te echarán.Shut up or they'll throw you out.This sentence shows how to use cállate in a warning.Tatoeba #1678669 by termito2nd, translation #8955701 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Dije cierra la boca!I said shut up!This sentence demonstrates the use of cierra la boca as a command.Tatoeba #2943239 by marcelostockle, translation #1453550 by Spamster
- Por favor, cállate ya.Please, shut up already.This sentence shows a polite attempt to use cállate by adding please.Tatoeba #7308234 by arh, translation #10102350 by espamatics
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A frustrated woman tells a man to stop talking during a movie.
- María¡Cállate, Mateo!Shut up, Mateo!
- MateoNo estoy haciendo nada.I am not doing anything.
- MaríaSolo estás hablando demasiado.You are just talking too much.
- MateoEstá bien, me callo.Fine, I'll be quiet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shut up” translations and entries cállate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
