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 |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cállate el hocico literally means "shut your snout", where hocico refers to the snout or muzzle of an animal. The phrase cierra el pico literally means "close your beak", where pico refers to a bird's beak.
Which one should you use?
While cállate is the standard command, the form cállate la boca adds emphasis by specifically mentioning the mouth.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite and indirect approach, you can say Te agradecería que te callaras, which means "I would appreciate it if you would be quiet". On the informal and colloquial side, cierra el pico is used. However, cállate el hocico is highly insulting because it compares a person to an animal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form cállate is the imperative singular command used for one person (tú). Use cállense when addressing more than one person.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'mouth', boca, actually descends from the Latin word bucca, which originally meant 'cheek'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a finger pressed to the lips is a universal signal for silencio that accompanies cállate regardless of social rank.
- In Spanish, the word callar can be used as a reflexive verb to describe the act of becoming quiet, not just a command to others.
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 emphatic use of cierra la boca.Tatoeba #2943239 by marcelostockle, translation #1453550 by Spamster
- Por favor, cállate ya.Please, shut up already.This sentence illustrates a request using cállate.Tatoeba #7308234 by arh, translation #10102350 by espamatics
- ¡Cállate la boca! Estoy intentando concentrarme en mi trabajo.Shut your mouth! I'm trying to focus on my work.
- Cielo, ¿podrías dejar de hablar un momento? Necesito pensar.Honey, could you stop talking for a moment? I need to think.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are in a quiet library.
- Elena¡Cállate, Javier!Shut up, Javier!
- JavierLo siento, no quería hablar.I'm sorry, I didn't want to talk.
- ElenaEs que no puedo estudiar así.It's just that I can't study like this.
- JavierEstá bien, guardaré silencio.Okay, I will 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.
