Cállate, Chloe
The English phrase "shut up, chloe" is translated into Spanish as Cállate, Chloe.
Cállate, Chloe is a direct and informal way to tell Chloe to shut up. Other informal options include the exclamatory phrase ¡Silencio, Chloe! to demand silence or the expression used among close friends ¡Haz el favor de cerrar el pico, Chloe!
Which one should you use?
While Cállate is used when addressing one person, you would use Cállense if you were telling more than one person to shut up.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cállate is highly informal and can be perceived as rude or aggressive depending on the tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
Cállate is the imperative (command) form used for a single person in an informal context.
Did you know?
- The word Cállate comes from the verb callar, which can mean both 'to be quiet' and 'to keep a secret'. In some contexts, telling someone to callar is an instruction to hide a truth rather than to stop talking.
- Spanish has a dedicated verb for the act of remaining silent, callarse, which is reflexive. This implies the person is performing the action of silencing themselves, unlike the English 'shut up' which is an external command.
- If you were addressing multiple people, changing Cállate to Cállense is a grammatical requirement in Latin America, whereas in Spain, you might use Callad to address a group of friends.
Examples in context
- ¡Cállate, Chloe! No puedo escuchar la televisión.Shut up, Chloe! I can't hear the TV.
- Cállate, Chloe, no me dejes dormir.Shut up, Chloe, you're not letting me sleep.
- ¡Cállate, Chloe! Estoy hablando por teléfono.Shut up, Chloe! I am talking on the phone.
- Cállate, Chloe, por favor, es muy tarde.Shut up, Chloe, please, it is very late.
Example conversation
Three friends are arguing about a movie.
- JavierCállate, Chloe, déjanos terminar.Shut up, Chloe, let us finish.
- María¡No me digas eso, Javier!Don't tell me that, Javier!
- JavierSolo estás interrumpiendo todo.You are just interrupting everything.
- MaríaEstá bien, no diré nada más.Fine, I won't say anything else.
