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 |
All these phrases are used to tell someone to stop talking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cállate el hocico literally means "shut your snout," using the word for an animal's muzzle. The phrase cierra el pico literally means "close your beak," using the word for a bird's beak.
Which one should you use?
The forms cállate and cállanse are derived from the verb callar (to be quiet), whereas cierra la boca is derived from the verb cerrar (to close).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cállate is a common informal way to say "shut up." Using cállate el hocico is considered impolite and highly insulting because it compares the person to an animal. Cierra el pico is an informal way to say "shut your mouth." Cállate la boca is a colloquial expression.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Cállate la boca is a colloquial expression used in some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Argentina, to mean "shut your mouth."
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person, use cállanse. To use the formal imperative form, use cállese.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying ¡Cállate! with a specific rising intonation can actually be an expression of disbelief, similar to saying 'No way!' in English.
- In formal settings, using cállese instead of cállate does not make the command polite, as telling a superior to be quiet is generally considered a grave insult regardless of the grammar.
- There is a linguistic connection between the Spanish boca and the English word 'beak'.
Examples in context
- Cállate o te echarán.Shut up or they'll throw you out.This sentence shows how to use cállate as a warning.Tatoeba #1678669 by termito2nd, translation #8955701 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Dije cierra la boca!I said shut up!This sentence shows an emphatic use of cierra la boca.Tatoeba #2943239 by marcelostockle, translation #1453550 by Spamster
- Por favor, cállate ya.Please, shut up already.This sentence shows the use of cállate with a request for immediate silence.Tatoeba #7308234 by arh, translation #10102350 by espamatics
- Cállate, no escuchoShut up, I can't hear!
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo is trying to study while Elena talks too much.
- MateoElena, por favor, cállate.Elena, please, shut up.
- Elena¡No te lo puedo creer!I can't believe you!
- MateoNecesito silencio para leer.I need silence to read.
- ElenaEstá bien, me callo.Fine, I'll 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.
