cállate, hermano
/ˈkaʝate eɾˈmano/word by word
To say "shut up, brother" in Spanish, use cállate, hermano.
The phrase is an imperative used to tell a male sibling or a close male friend to stop talking. The term hermano can be used literally to refer to a biological brother or figuratively to address a very close male friend.
Which one should you use?
Using the formal version when addressing a biological brother would sound highly unusual or sarcastic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the phrase Cerrá el pico, hermano is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase cállate, hermano uses the informal 'tú' imperative form, which is appropriate for speaking to a sibling or a close friend.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝate eɾˈmano/
Did you know?
- The word hermano is a distant relative of the English word 'germane'. Both come from the Latin germānus, which originally referred to siblings born of the same parents.
- If you use the word hermano to address a stranger while telling them to shut up, it can come across as a sarcastic or condescending way to pretend you are equals.
- The phrase cállate is significantly more aggressive than the English 'be quiet' and serves as a direct order to stop talking immediately.
Examples in context
- ¡Cállate, hermano, estoy intentando estudiar!Shut up, brother, I am trying to study!
- Cállate, hermano, me estás dando dolor de cabeza.Shut up, brother, you are giving me a headache.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are arguing about a TV show.
- ElenaNo puedo creer que te guste eso.I can't believe you like that.
- MateoEs la mejor serie de todas.It is the best series of all.
- ElenaCállate, hermano, no sabes nada.Shut up, brother, you don't know anything.
- Mateo¡Tú eres la que no sabe!You are the one who doesn't know!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cállate, hermano) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
