cállate niño
/kaʝate niɲo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "shush child" translates to Spanish as cállate niño.
The phrase is a command used to tell a child to be quiet.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cállate is a combination of the verb callar (to be quiet) and the reflexive pronoun te (you), literally meaning "shut yourself up".
Which one should you use?
You may also use Shh, cállate to say "Shh, be quiet" or Calla, niño/niña to say "Be quiet, boy/girl".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Silencio, niño is a slightly more formal or authoritative way to command silence compared to the more blunt cállate. Other forms like Shh, cállate and Calla, niño/niña are considered informal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase ¡Chito, niño/a! is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the child is female, change the noun to niña (e.g., cállate, niña). To address more than one child, use the plural imperative cállense and the plural noun niños (e.g., cállense, niños).
How do you pronounce it?
/kaʝate niɲo/
Did you know?
- The word niño might not come from a formal Latin root, but instead mimics the babbling sounds of an infant, much like the English word 'nanny'.
- While cállate is the standard command, in many households, parents use the diminutive calladito to make the request sound sweeter and less like a harsh order.
- The word chito used in Mexico is an onomatopoeic expression designed to mimic the sound of a finger placed over the lips.
Examples in context
- Todos los niños deben guardar silencio en el salón de clases.All children should maintain silence in the classroom.
- Shh, cállate mi amor, estás asustando a los pajaritos.Shh, be quiet, my love, you're scaring the birds.
- Calla, niña, estamos en una biblioteca y debemos respetar el silencio.Be quiet, girl, we're in a library, and we must respect the silence.
Example conversation
A mother tells her son to be quiet in a library.
- MaríaCállate niño, estamos en la biblioteca.Shush child, we are in the library.
- JavierLo siento, mamá.I'm sorry, mom.
- MaríaTienes que guardar silencio aquí.You have to stay silent here.
- JavierEstá bien, no diré nada más.Okay, I won't say anything else.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries niño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
