صه
sah
The Arabic word for "shush" is صه (sah).
In informal settings, you might also use the phrase خلصنا to mean "that's enough," which can be used playfully to signal that someone should stop talking.
Meaning: To be quiet (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
sah
Did you know?
- The word صه is a unique linguistic category called اسم فعل, which is a noun that functions entirely as a verb.
- While صه is the formal term, in many modern dialects, people use شششش which sounds almost identical to the English 'shush'.
- In some Arabic cultures, placing a finger over the lips while saying صه is common, but doing so to a superior can be seen as a grave insult.
Examples in context
- الرجاء الصمتPlease be quiet.
- اشش!Shush!
- يا خلصناOh, stop talking / Oh, enough already.
- سكر فمكShut your mouth.
Example conversation
Noor and Ziad are in a quiet library.
- نور Nourصه يا زياد، نحن في المكتبة.Sah ya Ziyad, nahnu fi al-maktaba.Shush Ziad, we are in the library.
- زياد Ziadآسف، نسيت أنني أتحدث بصوت عالٍ.Asif, nasitu annani atahaddath bi-sawt 'alin.Sorry, I forgot that I was speaking loudly.
- نور Nourالناس يحاولون الدراسة هنا.An-nas yuhawiluna ad-dirasa huna.People are trying to study here.
- زياد Ziadسأكون هادئاً الآن يا نور.Sa-akuna hadi'an al-aan ya Noor.I will be quiet now, Noor.
