Cállate y siéntate
/kaʝate i sjentate/from spelling rules
The English phrase "shut up and sit down" is translated into Spanish as Cállate y siéntate.
This phrase is an imperative command used to demand silence and physical stillness, often used by someone in a position of authority or in an argument.
Which one should you use?
Using Cállese y siéntese changes the command from the informal tú to the formal usted, though the phrase remains inherently rude regardless of the register.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word siéntate is the informal imperative form of the reflexive verb sentarse.
Did you know?
- In certain Latin American dialects, saying cállate with a rising intonation can actually be used as a slang expression of disbelief, similar to saying 'no way' or 'shut up' in English.
- In a classroom setting, a teacher might use silencio instead of cállate because cállate is often seen as an attack on the person rather than a request for quiet.
- While cállate is a direct command to be quiet, adding the word ya as in ¡cállate ya! transforms the phrase into a plea of desperation, similar to saying 'just shut up already'.
Examples in context
- Cállese y siéntese, por favor.Shut up and sit down, please.
- Le ruego que se calle y se siente.I beg you to be quiet and sit down.
- Cállate y siéntate ahora mismo.Shut up and sit down right now.
- Cállate y siéntate para poder comer.Shut up and sit down so we can eat.
Example conversation
A frustrated older brother is trying to calm down his energetic sister during dinner.
- MateoLucía, ¡cállate y siéntate!Lucía, shut up and sit down!
- Lucía¡No me mandes, Mateo!Don't boss me around, Mateo!
- MateoSolo quiero cenar en paz.I just want to eat dinner in peace.
- LucíaEstá bien, me sentaré.Fine, I will sit down.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
