쉿
swit[ʃʰɥit̚]
In Korean, 'shush' is translated as 쉿 (swit).
쉿 is an onomatopoeic interjection used to command silence, similar to the English 'shush'.
Meaning: To be quiet (verb)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
쉿 is an informal and blunt way to tell someone to be quiet, and should not be used toward elders or superiors. The expression 조용히 해주세요 means please be quiet. The phrase 조용히 해 is an informal way to request someone to be quiet.
How do you pronounce it?
swit
Did you know?
- In Korean variety shows, 쉿 is often accompanied by a colorful graphic appearing over a person's mouth to emphasize a comedic secret.
- While 쉿 is for immediate silence, the term 정숙 is used on formal signage in libraries and hospitals to command a 'zone of silence'.
- Korean parents may use 쉿 as a rhythmic, soothing sound to calm a baby rather than as a command to be quiet.
Examples in context
- 쉿, 조용히 해.swit, joyonghi hae.Shush, be quiet.
- 쉿, 아기가 자고 있어.swit, agiga jago isseo.Shush, the baby is sleeping.
- 쉿! 영화 시작해.swit! yeonghwa sijakhae.Shush! The movie is starting.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are in a library.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈아, 여기 너무 시끄러워.Subina, yeogi neomu sikkeureowo.Subin, it's too noisy in here.
- 수빈 Su-bin쉿, 도서관이잖아.swit, doseogwanijana.Shush, we're in a library.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo미안, 나도 모르게 크게 말했어.mian, nado moreuge keuge malhaesseo.Sorry, I spoke loudly without realizing.
- 수빈 Su-bin이제 조용히 하자.ije joyonghi haja.Let's be quiet now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 쉿, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
